Fire officials report a significant increase in the number of fires over the last few years in LA. Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
Firefighters battled a fire early Friday at a two-story commercial building in downtown Los Angeles.
The fire was in the 600 block of South San Pedro Street. Signage on the building identified it as ABC Toys.
Part of the roof appeared to collapse as flames tore through the building. The fire extended from the first floor into the building's upper floor and attic.
A fire outside the building might have spread to the interior, firefighters said.
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"Crews quickly encountered fire on the first floor and knocked it back," the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. "However, the blaze was already on the 2nd floor so they continued up to search out the seat of the fire.
"With heavy fire burning through the ventilation holes cut into the roof, firefighters knew there was a well-established attic fire. Interior fire attack continued to make their way up through the 2nd floor, battling back flames as they accessed the attic and made a direct attack on the blaze."
The aggressive attack prevented a total loss, the LAFD said.
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It was not immediately clear whether anyone was inside the building. Items inside the building indicated it was still in use and not abandoned, firefighters said.
More than 100 firefighters were at the scene.
No injuries were reported.
