Firefighters needed 56 minutes to extinguish a stubborn fire in a large, two-story garden-style apartment building in Encino Thursday evening.
The fire in the 5400 block of Yarmouth Avenue, between Ventura Boulevard and the Ventura (101) Freeway, was reported at 8:41 p.m., said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Initially several task forces responded, but only one unit was left in charge of handling it, just before 9 p.m., as the fire was believed to be under control.
However, flames continued smoldering in the framing of the building and spread through the attic to at least three units with common attics, Stewart said.
As of 9:15 p.m. at least 35 units were re-engaged in the firefighting effort and continued to battle the flames.
The roof ventilation group cut a strip ventilation to stop progress of the fire in one direction, Stewart said.
The 97 firefighters assigned to the fire extinguished it at 9:37 p.m., Stewart said.
No one was inside the building and no injuries were reported.