LA fire consumes apartment building, shuts freeways

REUTERS

11 years ago

Empty northbound lanes of the 110 freeway are pictured after a large fire consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. (REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

A firefighter stands on a ladder truck at the scene of a large fire that consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. (REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

People stand on lanes of the 110 freeway near smoldering hot spots of a large fire that consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. (REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

Fire crews work on smoldering hot spots of a large fire that consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

Firefighters stand on lanes of the 110 freeway near smoldering hot spots of a large fire that consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. (REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

Crews work on freeway signs that were damaged by a large fire that consumed an apartment building that was under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. The blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn)

Flames engulf a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. Over 250 firefighters battle the early morning blaze which shutdown two major freeways the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

Los Angeles city firefighters battle a massive fire at a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. Over 250 firefighters battle the early morning blaze which shutdown two major freeways the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

Los Angeles city firefighters battle a massive fire at a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

Flames spread from a massive fire at the sight of a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. Over 250 firefighters battle the early morning blaze which shutdown two major freeways the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

Los Angeles city firefighters battle a massive fire at a seven-story downtown apartment complex under construction in Los Angeles, California December 8, 2014. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

A large blaze in downtown Los Angeles early on Monday consumed an apartment building that was under construction and shut down two major freeways, the Los Angeles Fire Department and California Highway Patrol said.

At 7 a.m. PST northbound lanes of the 110 freeway remained closed as well as the Temple, Broadway and Los Angeles off-ramps of the 101 freeway southbound, a spokeswoman for the highway patrol said. The 101 is a major artery that runs up and down California.

The fire was extinguished, but firefighters were still on the scene monitoring hot spots.

“It’s a large building, about a block long. The whole building is a total loss. The fire did spread into two neighboring buildings,” said David Ortiz, a spokesman for the fire department. “The fire was going across the freeway.”

Ortiz said there were no reports of injuries or fatalities in the fire.

He said more than 250 firefighters fought the fire, which was reported after 1:20 a.m. PST, and which was under control by 4:30 a.m. PST.

The fire spread to two neighboring buildings, including an office building on Figueroa Street, where several stories were damaged by fire and water.