Local News
Will Rothschild dies after house fire in the Hollywood Hills
Los Angeles, CA — A man identified by neighbors as Will Rothschild, reportedly a member of the prominent and wealthy Rothschild family, has died following a fire that engulfed a two-story hillside home in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday afternoon.
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) crews were dispatched to the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 4:40 p.m. After battling the flames for approximately 33 minutes, the team of 45 firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze.
Inside the residence, firefighters discovered the body of a man. While authorities have not officially confirmed the victim’s identity, neighbors identified him as Will Rothschild, an eccentric millionaire—or potentially billionaire—associated with the globally influential Rothschild banking dynasty.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death. Investigators are working to identify the source of the fire, which remains undetermined. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
On a street known for its multi-million-dollar homes and celebrity residents, Rothschild was described as a reclusive figure. Neighbors recalled seeing an array of luxury vehicles at the property but noted that Rothschild himself was rarely visible.
“He was enigmatic—a man of immense wealth who lived an almost hermit-like existence,” one neighbor shared. “Despite his reclusive nature, those who knew him were deeply saddened by the loss.”
Some locals admitted they had never seen anyone at the house and assumed it was unoccupied. Others remembered Rothschild for his eccentricity and the air of mystery that surrounded his life.
The tragedy has shaken the upscale Lookout Mountain Avenue neighborhood, where residents are accustomed to a quiet, exclusive lifestyle. Though Rothschild may not have been a well-known social figure locally, his passing has prompted reflection on his unique presence in the community.
As the investigation continues, fire officials and detectives are working to uncover the cause of the blaze. Meanwhile, friends, family, and neighbors remember Will Rothschild as a complex figure whose life and death leave behind questions as enigmatic as the man himself.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.