Body found inside burning YMCA facility in Lakewood
A body has been found inside a YMCA facility in Lakewood that caught fire early Thursday morning.
The fire was first reported at about 1:40 a.m.at the YMCA Gymnastics Center, which is located in a strip mall in the 4000 block of South Street, near Lakewood Boulevard. Firefighters called for a second-alarm response at 2:11 a.m.
"Couldn't really notice any open flame or smoke or anything at first, and once they punched a hole in the roof, that's when all of a sudden you saw a ton of smoke," witness Kim Moussette said.
One firefighter was also injured during the firefight and was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition.
The body has not been identified, and investigators say its not known yet if they are connected to the fire. Where the body was found in the facility has not been confirmed.
None of the other businesses at the strip mall were damaged by the fire.
There were reports that a man was seen entering the building just before the fire was reported. Authorities say once the fire is fully extinguished, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies will search the building more thoroughly.
YMCA officials say they are still assessing the damage at the scene. Classes at the facility have been canceled for the day, but Denise Parrazzo with the Lakewood Family YMCA says the building's sprinkler's helped keep damage to a minimum, and the facility could reopen as soon as Friday.
"There's some damage, but it's not destroyed," she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
