Massive business fire downtown Los Angeles sends plumes of smoke into air
Firefighters remained on the scene of a massive fire burning in a commercial building in the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion District through the morning Wednesday.
The fire started around 5:50 a.m. in the 1100 block of South Los Angeles Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The flames burned through the roof of the two-story building which was said to be Ruby Textile, and a massive plume of smoke could be seen for miles hovering over downtown Los Angeles,
Firefighters battled the flames in defensive mode from the exterior of the building.
"The building is beginning to show signs of compromise, as walls begin to buckle," the LAFD said shortly after 7 a.m.
About 120 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and did prevent them from spreading to other buildings.
Later in the morning, around 11:30 a.m., the flames were out but crews remained at the site mopping up as fabric remnants smoldered and charred mannequins could be seen lying in the rubble.
Nearby store owners said their businesses may be damaged as well from all the smoke and water. "I'm very terrified, I don't know what to say right now. It's all small businesses." He continued to say he is not sure the businesses impacted by the fire will be able to survive.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
