Hit-And-Run Driver Crashes Into Power Pole Sparking Fire At Commercial Building
SUN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A fire heavily damaged a commercial building Saturday morning after a hit-and-run driver ran into a power pole causing an electrical surge, investigators said.
Los Angeles firefighters responded to the blaze around 3 a.m. in the 10000 block of Sherman Way.
The driver reportedly struck the pole near the back of the building on Riverton Avenue, according to investigators.
The building is where the company WET Design manufactures elaborate fountains and attractions.
Their designs are featured throughout Los Angeles including at the LA Music Center, The Grove and Universal CityWalk.
"The front half of the building is pretty well gone. You can go into the ground floor and see the stars in the sky," CEO Mark Fuller said.
It took more than 120 firefighters an hour and 20 minutes to put out the flames, officials said.
"We have these valuable machines inside and I mean we're here to work so we gotta find a way to keep the job going," WET Design employee Ismael Rodriguez said.
LADWP is working to restore power to 13 businesses which were affected by the crash.
The driver left the vehicle and fled the scene, police said.
No injuries from the fire were reported.
