Fire Damages Dozens Of Vehicles In Whittier Apartment Complex Carport

WHITTIER (CBS) — A fire damaged dozens of vehicles in an apartment complex carport just one day before Thanksgiving.

Fire officials received a call of a car fire at the Kendlewood Apartments, 10522 Santa Gertrudes Avenue, at 4:40 a.m.

When the first unit arrived, they found one car fully engulfed. By the time additional units got to the scene, the fire had spread to at least 41 other vehicles in the carport, officials said.

"It was very scary, very hot, very quick," apartment complex resident Kathy Tyler said.

The fire was extinguished in 40 minutes.

No structures were involved, but police evacuated residents of the complex for safety concerns. Arson and ATF investigators were sent to the scene.

No injuries were reported.

It is unknown how the fire began, but a down power line could be to blame.

Santa Gertrudes Avenue is closed between Whittier Boulevard and Lambert as officials investigate.