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devastating fire on July 4 destroyed the mobile home of a Fresno, CA family, leaving them homeless. Victor Solorzano and his wife shared the trailer with their two young children and father-in-law. Solorzano managed to evacuate his family before the fire engulfed the home, but now they face an uncertain future.

    Solorzano suspects that squatters who had set up camp in the mobile-home park were responsible for the fire. He's not alone in his concerns - property managers often struggle to keep squatters out of these parks. In California, evicting squatters can be a complex process due to their legal protections.

    Before taking action against a squatter, property owners must serve them with an eviction notice or notice to quit. If the squatter refuses to leave, they may invoke "squatters' rights" and even attempt to file an adverse possession claim, potentially gaining ownership of the property.

    The Solorzano family's situation is further complicated by the fact that they rented the land their trailer sat on without renters' insurance. This means they'll have to rely on donations or government assistance to rebuild. Attorney Brooke Bremmer notes that owning a mobile home but renting the land is a common arrangement in California, and it would've been wise for Solorzano to get renters' insurance.

    While the park's policy may cover liability and common areas, individual policies typically insure the home itself. If the family had insurance, they might have received compensation for their losses. However, the mobile park owners could still be liable if they failed to take reasonable steps to secure the premises and prevent foreseeable harm.

    In this case, Solorzano is exploring options to hold the park's management accountable. Bremmer suggests that a government claim may also be possible, but these are often difficult to prove and subject to strict time limits.