Massive Fire Covers Downtown L.A. with Ash

A massive fire in downtown Los Angeles caused the California Highway Patrol to shut down the 101 Freeway in both directions and the temporary closure of the 110/101 interchange. The blaze consumed a seven-story wood-framed residential structure that was under construction. the building was supposed to have commercial space available on the lower level. No injuries were reported, according to CNN.

ABC News reported more than 250 firefighters had been sent to the site; Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said the fire had been ongoing since 1:20 a.m. The fire was brought under control 90 minutes after the firefighting teams arrived, but Battalion Chief Joseph Castro said, “The radiant heat was strong enough to burst windows in one building next door.” City offices in the adjacent building shut down for the day. The downtown area found itself covered in ash from the fire.

David Ortiz, public information officer at the Los Angeles Fire Department, told NBC News, “This is a historic fire, what we as firefighters would call ‘a career fire. It’s huge. I really can’t remember a building fire this big and I have been with the department for 13 years.”