The view north from Larchmont Village filled with smoke around 10:45am Friday as a structure fire engulfed a two-story apartment building at 5957 Barton Avenue on the corner of Barton and El Centro, just north of Melrose.
The stubborn fire started in the basement of the building and was initially reported as being knocked down after 23 minutes. However, the fire continued climbing behind the walls of the building, eventually making its way to the attic. Total knockdown was achieved after 2 hours and  30 minutes and involved more than 50 firefighters and at least 24 firetrucks. Three firefighters suffered minor to moderate injuries in the fight.
The 46 residents of the building have been displaced by the fire and are currently looking to rebuild their lives.
LAFD has determined the cause of the fire to be arson. The fire is under active investigation and anyone with information should contact the LAFD Arson Investigators at (213) 485-6528.
Picture tweeted by @NBCLA
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That’s one of the buildings that gets tagged alot, I pedal by there on my way to Trader Joes. The area right there gets tons of graffiti.
^ Well, duh. That’s because that building was always gang member central. Now the worthless ghetto trash will have to find another place to hang out. Good riddance, I say.