Fire damaged the second floor and attic of a 2 1/2-story, craftsman style home in South Los Angeles Saturday morning and caused a partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters were called to the 600 block of East 21st Street, just west of San Pedro Street, at 4:10 a.m. and found fire coming from the second floor and attic of the home, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The flames caused the partial collapse of the roof and part of the second story floor, Stewart said.
“Firefighters are making good progress on the fire but due to the partial collapse, crews are transitioning to a defensive operation,” she said at 4:35 a.m.
A primary search of one half of the first floor was conducted by firefighters, before they encountered a wall that divides the home into at least two units. Crews were not able to access the other half of the first floor due to the collapse, Stewart said.
A total of 42 firefighters battled the flames and knockdown was declared at 4:40 a.m., though crews would remain on scene to conduct overhaul operations through the early morning, Stewart said.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.