Crews Extingush Blaze in Densely Populated Area of Koreatown

The blaze was reported at about 5:20 p.m. and appeared to spread to a neighboring residence.

By Samantha Tata and Alex Calder

| Monday, Jul 16, 2012 | Updated 9:42 PM PDT

97 Firefighters Extinguish Koreatown Blaze

Almost 100 firefighters battled flames that ripped through a seven-unit apartment complex under construction Monday afternoon in a densely populated area of Koreatown, fire officials said.

Damage to the structure was estimated at about $525,000, said Brian Humphrey with LAFD.

The blaze broke out in the 1000 block of Berendo Street (map) and spread to neighboring structures, destroying one and damaging two others, Humphrey said.

Fire officials originally reported the blaze as having started in the 1000 block of Serrano Avenue, which they later updated to Berendo Street.

Adjacent homes and an electronics store were evacuated, officials said.

At least one person was assessed on scene by LAFD medics but the injury was not related to the fire, Humphrey said. Officials on scene said no one was injured in the blaze.

Initial reports noted that the blaze broke out in the top floor of a two-story apartment building. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, Humphrey said.

The fire near Olympic Boulevard and Serrano Avenue was reported at about 5:20 p.m. and extinguished at about 6:20 p.m., according to fire officials.

Correction: The article originally referred to to the fire's location as Westlake. Fire officials say the the blaze broke out in Koreatown. The article has been updated to reflect that correction.

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