A historic building in downtown Los Angeles, which gained fame as the cover photo setting for The Doors' 1970 album “Morrison Hotel,” was severely damaged by a fire on Thursday. The incident resulted in the roof collapsing but, fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to the city’s Fire Department.

Located in the Skid Row neighborhood, this former hotel had been vacant for over 15 years. However, prior to the blaze, it served as a gathering spot for approximately 25 homeless individuals, as revealed by Mark Dyer, the vice president of operations for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the organization that owns the property.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and firefighters took over 90 minutes to combat the flames, dramatic footage showing thick plumes of smoke pouring from the structure’s upper floors. Luckily, the fire did not extend to surrounding buildings, although the fate of the nearly 50,000-square-foot structure, established in 1914, remains uncertain. Dyer hinted that it might be a total loss.

With a purchase price of $11.9 million in December 2023, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation had ambitious plans to convert the property into a 111-unit affordable housing complex. They even attempted to fortify the building by placing steel plates over the doors, but reports suggest that unauthorized individuals managed to breach the basement using power tools.

Half a century ago, the building found its place in rock 'n' roll history when acclaimed music photographer Henry Diltz took an iconic shot for the “Morrison Hotel” album cover. The image features a contemplative Jim Morrison surrounded by his bandmates, framed by a large window, with signs proclaiming "Passenger Loading Only" and "Rooms From $2.50 Up"—a striking juxtaposition that captured the spirit of the era.

Diltz expressed his sadness over the recent disaster, reminiscing about the building's historical significance and calling for its restoration. "It’s such a historic place, a historic name. I hope it doesn’t disappear,” he stated. John Densmore, the band’s drummer, echoed this sentiment, reflecting on how Morrison himself would have appreciated the foundation's vision for repurposing the hotel into affordable housing.

Interestingly, the album cover almost didn’t come to fruition. During the creative slump, keyboardist Ray Manzarek drew inspiration from the building’s name while passing it with his wife, leading to a spontaneous photo shoot under the building’s flickering elevator light—a moment that immortalized the location in music history.

As fans and historians reflect on the fire and its impact, the question looms: will this beloved piece of rock history be lost forever, or could it rise from the ashes in a new form? Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story!