Firefighters Saturday knocked down a “major emergency structure fire” at a row of commercial buildings in the Palms community of Los Angeles, where a firefighter “took ill” and was rushed to a hospital in fair condition and several cats were killed, authorities said.
“Heavy smoke impacted at least half-dozen businesses, including a feline overnight boarding facility where several cats were rescued, but others sadly perished,” said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Firefighters dispatched at 5:44 a.m. to 9000 W. Venice Blvd. had the blaze out within 73 minutes of their arrival, Humphrey said.
“One firefighter took ill during the intense firefight, and has been taken to an area hospital in fair condition for observation,” he said.
There were no civilian injuries and a cause of the fire was under investigation.