A row of commercial buildings in the Pico-Union area was damaged by a fire Wednesday morning that began outside the structures, then spread inside the units and compromised the structural integrity of the buildings.

Firefighters responded to the 2200 block of Pico Boulevard, near Hoover Street, at about 4:10 a.m. They discovered the fire well established inside the buildings and began attacking the fire from outside the structure, according Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A total of 85 firefighters used a variety of tactics to extinguish the flames in less than an hour. A knockdown was called at 5:01 a.m., Prange said.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety was notified about the compromised integrity of the buildings due to the heat of the fire, he said.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Pico Boulevard near Hoover Street was blocked by fire trucks and equipment until further notice. Drivers should seek alternate routes, Prange said.

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