Firefighters were battling a blaze Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, helping homeless people evacuate a burning four-story, nearly 100-year-old vacant building.
Crews responded around 11:20 a.m. Thursday to the 1200 block of South Hope Street, near the intersection of West Pico Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“This is now categorized as a Major Emergency incident with 17 fire companies on scene. Crews placed ground ladders to the fire escapes to assist unhoused persons exiting the vacant structure,” the department said.
East and west traffic on Pico Boulevard was temporarily closed, and officials advised drivers to avoid Pico and Hope in the downtown area.
“Firefighters remain in the defensive mode and this will be an extended duration operation,” the department said.