LOS ANGELES --
Los Angeles Fire Department officials declared a major emergency Sunday, sending more than 120 city firefighters to a blaze in Atwater Village.
The fire burned a large wooden warehouse and more than 20 parked vehicles just east of the Los Angeles Zoo.
A thick column of smoke visible from the San Fernando Valley and Civic Center rose above the 5,000-square-foot building in the 4600 block of Brazil Street. The fire was on the east bank of the concrete Los Angeles River and was never expected to pose any danger of spreading across the river or adjacent Golden State (5) Freeway into nearby Griffith Park, fire spokesman Brian Humphrey said.
Firefighters from the nearby city of Glendale were also sent to the blaze, which broke out at about 2:20 p.m. Vegetation and rubbish spread the fire until it was knocked down shortly after 3 p.m., Humphrey said.
"The building was fully involved when the first units got there, and we went into a defensive position to protect adjoining structures," Humphrey said. "We were hindered by dozens of vehicles that were parked adjacent to the structure, three or four deep."
No injuries were reported, but the flames destroyed more than 20 vehicles, Humphrey said.
"The building has collapsed upon itself," Humphrey said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
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