Fire in a reported marijuana grow house scorched one unit of a multi-unit commercial building in Panorama City Thursday morning and caused smoke damage to nearby rooms.
Firefighters were called about 3:15 a.m. to the 14700 block of Arminta Street, west of Van Nuys Boulevard, and found moderate smoke coming from the one-story building, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Crews made their way inside the building, but due to its layout, which consisted of several hallways and rooms, and heavy smoke throughout the building, it was difficult for firefighters to quickly locate the fire, she said.
Holes had to be cut into the roof of each unit to clear smoke from the rooms, Stewart said.
A total of 43 firefighters were able to extinguish the fire ,and a knock down was called at 3:56 a.m., said Stewart.
Department arson investigators were headed to the scene to determine the cause of the fire.
No injuries were reported.