1 Found Dead In Downtown LA Apartment Fire

LOS ANGELES, CA — One person was found dead in the smoldering remains of a fire that broke out at a seven-story apartment building in downtown Los Angeles early Tuesday morning.

Firefighters responded at around 2 a.m. to 112 W. Fifth St., between Main and Los Angeles streets, where they found a fire burning in a corner unit on the top floor. Smoke had spread to all seven floors of the building, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

It took 100 firefighters 50 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

The person's body was found inside the unit after the fire was extinguished, the LAFD said.

"Due to excessive storage conditions found within the fire unit, firefighters need to remove large amounts of debris to ensure there are no smoldering hot spots remaining. Given the fire unit is on the 7th floor, it requires an extended duration salvage and overhaul operation," the LAFD's Margaret Stewart said.

Most residents were ordered to shelter in place.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety was dispatched to evaluate the building and the LAFD's Arson unit was at the scene to assist with the investigation, Stewart said.