Large Fire Breaks out in DTLA Building, Downtown Los Angeles
 |
| Firefighters battle downtown Los Angeles 4-story building fire |
A massive fire erupted Thursday morning on the top floor of a nearly century-old building in downtown Los Angeles, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported the blaze shortly before 11 a.m. at a four-story structure on South Hope Street. Firefighters quickly shifted to a defensive approach, deploying ladders and specialized equipment to control the flames.
While the building was believed to be vacant, unhoused individuals inside were safely evacuated with the help of crews raising ladders to provide an escape route. Both directions of Pico Boulevard were temporarily closed during the operation.
The building, identified as the historic Morrison Hotel, has been vacant for nearly 15 years. It was purchased last year by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, using ladder pipes and wagon batteries to extinguish the fire. It took about 90 minutes to bring the flames under control. According to the LAFD, the fire likely originated on the fourth floor.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the LAFD Arson Unit on-site as part of standard protocol for a major emergency.
