PALMDALE, Calif. -- Los Angeles County firefighters battled a second alarm blaze at a large strip mall complex in Palmdale Tuesday morning.
The fire was reported around 3:58 a.m. in the 2200 block E. Palmdale Boulevard, between E. 22nd and E. 25th streets.
A sign on the front of the building said "CGL Clothing," with a banner advertising a grand opening.
"It's like a general merchandise store. It has clothing, a few appliances and fabrics," L.A. County Fire Batt. Chief Gerald Cosey said.
Cosey said there was "a heavy fire load" when firefighters arrived, and they immediately went into a defensive posture.
Fire crews used ladder trucks and hoses to douse the flames from outside the structure.
The fire was declared knocked down around 7:25 a.m.
No one was inside the building when the fire broke out and there were no reports of any injuries.
Arson investigators were at the scene. They were waiting until the building was stable before going inside.
"The building was fully involved and the roof had already caved in, so the investigation will be tough," L.A. County Fire Dept. Insp. Bill Riley said.
The store's owner, who did not want to go on camera, said he was completely devastated.
He said the store had been open about two weeks, and their grand opening was planned for this weekend.
Copyright 2012 - KTLA-TV, Los Angeles
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
