Arson Deemed Cause Of Massive Da Vinci Apartment Fire

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Arson has been deemed the cause of a massive fire at a downtown Los Angeles complex last week, authorities confirmed Thursday.

The fire at the 1.3-million-square-foot Da Vinci apartments, located at 900 West Temple Street, destroyed the 7-story complex under construction.

The blaze also damaged a nearby high-rise and a portion of the Harbor (110) Freeway.

"Investigators recovered sufficient evidence to eliminate all known potential accidental causes and determine the fire was intentionally set," the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a written statement.

The statement said the fire caused an estimated $20 to $30 million in damage to the apartment complex.

Earlier this week, authorities released video of two people they are calling "potential witnesses."

No suspects have been named and no arrests have been made.

The LAFD along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) combed through debris Wednesday and planned to continue to follow-up on possible leads.

"The work at the crime scene is finished, however our investigation is not over," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Carlos A. Canino "ATF will continue to work together with our state and local partners to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice."