The Los Angeles Fire Department declared a “Major Emergency” as a vacant structure burned in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning.
The blaze in the 1200 block of South Hope Street burned a vacant structure and required 17 fire companies to battle it, the LAFD said in a news alert.
“Firefighters are deploying master streams via ladder pipes and wagon batteries on the fire engines,” the alert said. “Crews placed ground ladders to the fire escapes to assist unhoused persons exiting the vacant structure.”
Fire officials expect “an extended duration operation,” during which eastbound and westbound traffic on Pico Boulevard will be closed.
“Drivers are advised to avoid Pico x Hope area in Downtown LA,” the alert said.
