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A massive fire in downtown Los Angeles early Monday destroyed an apartment tower under construction, damaged two other buildings and left two major freeways closed.

The California Highway Patrol said the 110 Freeway is closed between the 10 and 101, and the 101 southbound is closed at Alvarado Street. The CHP urged motorists to avoid the area.

More than 250 firefighters are battling the blaze at an apartment tower under construction 909 W. Temple St., Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz said.

The LAFD said two other buildings along Figueroa Street were also damaged by the fire. A building at 331 N. Figueroa St. suffered “external damage from radiant heat” while fire damaged several floors of an office tower at 221 N. Figueroa St.  “It’s huge,” he said.

Ortiz said the cause and extent of the fire were not yet known. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A series of dense, upscale apartment complexes have been built over the last decade around the 110-110 freeway interchange, and another one, known as the DaVinci, was currently under construction.

“Experience urban-style elegance and European living in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The Da Vinci, the newest member of the Renaissance collection, will offer fifteen unique floor plans to match your lifestyle,” the projects website said. “Indulge in world-class amenities, such as a state of the art fitness facility, a full size indoor basketball court, a residential lounge, a library, a theater and a business center.”

The building had been in the news earlier this year when the developer sought a pedestrian bridge that would liken the DaVinci to other complexes in the area and offer residents a direct route into the downtown attractions.

Images show the apartment complex fully engulfed.

When the fire broke out at about 1:20 a.m., flames could be seen for miles, with some people on social media capture shots from as far away as the Hollywood Hills. Photos and video capture flames racing into the air as motorists drove by.

As of 2:30 a.m., photos showed the the flames at the apartment complex had died down somewhat.

At the corner of Hope and Temple streets, fire engines were stacked deep, parked diagonally.

 

Source LA Times