Early Morning Blaze in Downtown Los Angeles

Heavy fire rolled through a large commercial building housing textiles and furniture in Downtown Los Angeles, requiring tractors to move the debris to gain a final extinguishment.

At 4:16AM on October 28, 2024 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 500 block of E 9th Street in Downtown Los Angeles for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke emanating from a one-story row of commercial units.

In an aggressive effort to control the blaze, crews executed forcible entry by cutting through multiple rolling steel doors to gain access to the interior. Simultaneously, the truck company ascended aerial ladders to the roof to cut ventilation holes, allowing for the release of thick, black smoke that filled the units from ceiling to floor.

As the fire intensified and began burning through the roof, firefighters transitioned to a defensive operation due to the hazardous conditions. With approximately 100 firefighters on scene, operating under the command of Assistant Chief Douglas Lewis, companies deployed master streams using ladder pipes off the trucks and large diameter handlines to maximize water flow into the fire.

Approximately one hour into the incident, crews reported good progress against the bulk of the fire. However, the presence of significant quantities of rolled textiles and furniture within the businesses contributed to a heavy fire load, complicating efforts to fully extinguish the flames.

To assist with extinguishment, LAFD Heavy Equipment Operators arrived with small tractors able to get inside the structure to clear debris, allowing firefighters access to the remaining pockets of fire.

The blaze ultimately damaged four commercial units, with three sustaining extensive damage and red-tagged by Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. One additional unit suffered moderate damage and was yellow-tagged.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation by LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS).