LAFD  reports a ‘Greater Alarm Fire’ at 5488 West Santa Monica Boulevard this morning. The fire was reported at 7:09am and is in a 2 story commercial building (100 x 75). Fire Station 52 was originally called to respond – soon followed by a total of 21 Fire Companies and 5 ambulances.
Fire fighters continue to fight at the time of this post 8:15a.
Traffic is delayed in and around the area, including on the 101, as a result of this fire.
Building on fire at Santa Monica and Western in Hollywood, avoid the area [cc: @MrCheckpoint] pic.twitter.com/uK1MmvQqm6
— tiffatty (@tiffatty) May 6, 2014
Update: Building burning in Hollywood houses a Payless ShoeSource and a restaurant http://t.co/nrxl8gh4NN pic.twitter.com/sWVHSihODF
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 6, 2014
UPDATE Â – LAFD Press Release Tuesday, May 6
Despite the rapid response of firefighters, a fierce blaze destroyed several businesses in a 2 story brick building in the Little Armenia area of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was called at 7:09 AM on May 6, 2014 to 1096 North Western Avenue. Firefighters arrived in just three minutes to find smoke issuing from the bricks and attic of the 2 story commercial building. An aggressive interior fire attack ensued. Simultaneously, firefighters laddered the roof and performed vertical ventilation. Additional LAFD Firefighters were immediately requested to aid in battling the intense blaze in this 75′ X 100′ square foot building.
Firefighters met additional challenges with the fire burning in multiple trapped spaces in the attic. The weight of a heavy cellular tower on the roof and the age of the building created concerns with the integrity of the building.
Twenty five minutes into the blaze, the Incident Commander noted fire activity escalating dangerously. Firefighters were immediately ordered off the roof and went into a defensive fire attack.
A total of 153 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Timothy Manning, extinguished the blaze in one hour and 38 minutes. The fire was confined to the structure of origin.
Firefighters remained on scene to extinguish hot spots and escort business owners on the property to gather personal records.
The structure is considered a total loss, however an adjacent two-story commercial building threatened by the fire was saved. No injuries were reported.
The cause of this destructive fire was categorized as undetermined and accidental in nature.
Don’t do Twitter. Why have images that can be viewed only on Twitter? Referring to fire at SM & Western.
Hi Ken – Can’t you see them on the post? I’ll have to check, but they show up when I look at the article.