Firefighters Battle Early Morning Office Building Fire In Winnetka

WINNETKA, CA — Firefighters Tuesday morning battled a major emergency fire in a two-story office building that partially collapsed in the Winnetka section of the San Fernando Valley, sending one person to a hospital.

The fire was reported at 5:10 a.m. in the 20200 block of West Sherman Way, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Video from the scene showed flames leaping through the roof of the building as crews poured streams of water on the blaze from ladder hoses.

At least eight emergency vehicles had converged on the fire.

The intense blaze raged on both floors and caused a partial collapse in the front portion of the building, said LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

Fire crews worked in the rear of the building to prevent the blaze from extending to an adjacent apartment building, Stewart added.

"The large apartment building was defended from any damage and did not require evacuation," according to Stewart, who said residents sheltered-in- place.

Over 120 firefighters responded and had the bulk of the fire out by 6:30 a.m., with full knockdown declared just after 7 a.m. she said.

The patient taken to the hospital is a 36-year-old woman who was in fair condition. She was transported early in the operation, Stewart said.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area as crews continued to put out pockets of fire.

Firefighters were expected to remain on the scene for an extended operation, Stewart said.

Arson investigators were dispatched to the location, as is customary in LAFD Capt. Erik Scott told reporters at the scene.

City News Service