L.A. Fire Destroys Buildings

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L.A. Fire Destroys Buildings

Over 250 firefighters rushed to downtown Los Angeles early Monday after a massive fire broke out nearly destroying buildings and closing parts of multiple freeways.

The L.A. Times reports:

A massive fire in downtown Los Angeles early Monday engulfed an apartment tower under construction, damaged two other buildings and left freeways and roads closed.

The 110 Freeway northbound remains closed, but Caltrans reopened the 101 and 110 southbound at around 4:30 a.m.

More than 250 firefighters battled blaze at an apartment tower under construction in the 900 block of Fremont Avenue, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz said. The building was 1.3 million square feet and officials said two-thirds of it was consumed by flames.

The bulk of the fire was put out in 90 minutes but firefighters continue to deal with hot spots, said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said.

The LAFD said two other buildings along Figueroa Street were also damaged by the fire. A building at 313 N. Figueroa St. suffered “external damage from radiant heat” while fire damaged several floors of a 16-story office tower at 212 N. Figueroa St.

Fire spokesman Jaime Moore told The Times the office tower suffered fire and sprinkler water damage.

“Large windows gave under the amount of heat,” Moore said, adding that sprinklers activated on six of its floors. “There was active fire on three floors.”

Several people have reported seeing the fire including singer Jhene Aiko who posted videos of the flames on her Instagram and others who shared Vines.

So far a cause for the fire has not been determined.