Fire Consumes Westside Commercial Complex

LOS ANGELES, CA — Firefighters needed nearly 2 1/2 hours to extinguish a stubborn fire that broke out Wednesday evening at an unoccupied two-story commercial building in West Los Angeles and forced crews to fight the flames from outside the structure due to collapse risks.

The fire was reported at 7:51 p.m. in the 11800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, near Westgate Avenue, in the Sawtelle area and knock down was declared at 10:15 p.m., according to Mark McLean of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Crews used ladder hoses to pour water on the building. A total of 83 firefighters battled the flames, McLean said.

"Fire companies will remain on scene with a fire watch throughout the night and into tomorrow morning to prevent rekindle of structure and extinguish small host spots of the burned commercial building," McLean said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

City News Service