The Los Angeles Metro Fire Dispatch received multiple calls for a structure fire in the area of Third Street & Boylston Avenue just west of downtown in LA's Westlake district on April 27.
Command 22, Battalions 1 and 11, Task Force 3 and Task Force 11 were first on scene in the 1200 block of Huntley Drive. They reported a one-story vacant commercial building with smoke and fire showing. The building was actually three stories, with one-story street at the street level and two stories below ground on a hillside.
The building on fire was located over a homeless encampment. Shrubbery around the structure was also on fire.
Firefighters quickly attacked the fire with handlines, forcing thier way into the building at the end of a cul-de-sac.
As flames engulfed the structure and the stability of the building was in question, Firefighters were ordered out of the structure. Firefighters then hit the flames with at least two ladder pipes and lobbed water with handlines on the L-shaped structure from outside.
Fire companies were also dispatched below the fire on Second Street.
The main bulk of fire was knocked down in 40 minutes.
There were no reported injuries.
The cause of the suspicious midnight blaze, where reports indicate that transients took shelter, is under investigation.
