A two-story vacant commercial building in downtown Los Angeles was engulfed in flames Tuesday and firefighters took up positions outside to protect the buildings around it.
The fire was reported at 6:11 a.m. at 1224 S. Hope St. near Pico Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.
They found the boarded-up building well-involved in flames and summoned additional resources to help defend surrounding structures, Stewart said.
The blaze quickly rose to a greater alarm level with 12 fire companies dispatched to the scene, she said.
“Firefighters are making good progress against the primary fire building,” Stewart said at 6:36 a.m. “The fire appears to have breached a dividing wall and is extending into the adjacent, exposed building.” Firefighters were on the offensive at that building.
Commuters were advised to avoid the area, she said.