It was the largest structure fire in recent memory, Los Angeles firefighters said.
A massive blaze erupted early Monday morning at an apartment complex being built in the 900 block of Fremont Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Within a short period of time, it had spread to three adjacent structures, including one that houses the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and other city agencies. The structures were soon engulfed in flames consuming an area larger than a city block, with the scene visible for miles.
“This is a historic fire, what we as firefighters would call ‘a career fire.’ It’s huge. I really can’t remember a building fire this big and I have been with the department for 13 years,” said David Ortiz, a public information officer with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The towering inferno resulted in the shut-down of parts of two major freeways and took 250 firefighters to extinguish. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but damages are estimated at $10 million.
Fire officials have confirmed that they are investigating the possibility of arson and are currently treating the incident as a ‘criminal fire.’ Capt. Jaime Moore summarized his suspicions, calling the engulfment of an entire building a rare event.
"There may have been some foul play," he added.
The complex where the fire began has been a point of controversy in the past. Some Downtown L.A. residents had protested the developer’s plan to build a bridge connecting the building to other local complexes. Those objections went unheeded in May when the plan won approval from the city council.
Read more about Monday’s massive blaze here.