Huge fire burns at boarded-up downtown L.A. building with ‘potential for collapse’

Firefighters continued battling a blaze that broke out in a boarded-up commercial building in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

At least 120 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was reported at 7:33 p.m. at 268 S. Los Angeles St., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Flames were seen coming from the three-story building when the first units arrived, according to the department.

“The structure is showing signs of a potential for collapse,” the LAFD said. “Companies have increased their distance, allowing a buffer for a ‘collapse zone.’”

Intense heat from the blaze started a fire in one unit of a neighboring apartment building.

“Thankfully, fire sprinklers are holding the fire in check and preventing rapid spread, as firefighters ascend the stairs to address that unit,” the LAFD said.

Peak fire activity had subsided shortly before 10 p.m. but the scene was still active as firefighters were engaged in an extended operation to locate smoldering debris in the burned-out building, said Nicholas Prange, an LAFD spokesperson.

An official knockdown had not yet been declared as of 9:40 p.m., Prange said. The department had deployed heavy equipment and a firefighting robot to the incident.

Further information was not immediately available.