A spectacular fire raged Thursday at a commercial building in the garment district of downtown Los Angeles, and firefighters battled to keep the flames from spreading to other structures.
Firefighters were sent to the 800 block of South San Pedro Street at 5:41 a.m., said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The flames burned through the roof of the single-story 150-foot-by-150-foot building, Humphrey said. After about an hour, the firefighters appeared to have gained the upper hand on the flames as bulbous plumes of gray and white smoke began billowing from the stricken structure.
"The bulk of the flames have been extinguished," Humphrey said at 6:50 a.m. "Firefighters have gained the upper hand."
About 160 firefighters were sent to battle the fire, which was designated as a "major emergency" due to the number of personnel sent to the scene, Humphrey said.
A residential hotel near the burning building was evacuated.
No injuries were immediately reported.
