Fire at Passive Arts Studio in Los Angeles

[Dr Charles Forbin]

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The body of a man was found Tuesday at the scene of a fire at a bondage club in unincorporated Lennox. L.A. County Sheriff's arson investigators and homicide detectives are on the scene at Passive Arts Studios, a well known bondage club. The fire broke out at the club at approximately 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday. L.A. County Fire officials are calling the fire "suspicious." When firefighters arrived at the commercial building located at 10914 S. La Cienega Boulevard they made a forceable entry and put out the fire in 25 minutes. According to fire officials, the fire was in the office area of the building. Upon a secondary search they found the body and a dog. The man, who was in his 50s, had been burned, but it was unclear if that was the cause of death. Officials are not releasing the cause of death until an autopsy is completed. His name was withheld pending notification of his next-of-kin. Authorities say that the man was the owner of Passive Arts Studios. The club's website describes it as the nation's largest, most elegant and best equipped dungeon. The site also says that the studio is filled with state-of-the-art equipment and seven complete theme rooms. --------------------------------------------- The Los Angeles County Sheriff is now treating this as a murder and arson. It is now confirmed the dead man was the owner of Passive Arts Studios. This is a great tragedy for the Los Angeles scene and my sincerest condolences go out to John's family. If you have ever been there, seen a video filmed there, or participated in any of the events held there please take a moment to reflect on this terrible crime