Arson Investigators Work To Determine Cause Of Major Structure Fire In Boyle Heights

BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Arson investigators Friday worked to determine the cause of a major structure fire that erupted in Boyle Heights.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Erik Scott, the fire erupted shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of South Rio Vista Avenue.

Upon their arrival to the large one-story commercial building, crews located heavy flames ripping through a third of the structure. The business was described as a distribution center.

"Due to the extensive fire load and no occupants inside the burning building, the Incident Commander swiftly transitioned into a defensive firefight, using large hose streams from the exterior," Scott said. "Firefighters were met by multiple challenges."

A portion of an exterior wall on the front side of the structure collapsed and the roof caved in due to extensive fire damage throughout the building. Crews were also threatened by energized power lines falling.

Bailed materials and textiles created stubborn conditions for firefighters, Scott added.

Nearly 150 firefighters were able to extinguish the flames within two hours and 14 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

An estimate of damage is being tabulated.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the LAFD Arson Section.