160 Firefighters Battle Massive East Hollywood Blaze, 90 Residents Displaced

HOLLYWOOD, CA — About 90 residents were displaced and a woman was hospitalized after a massive fire tore through a three-story apartment building in East Hollywood early Thursday morning.

The fire broke out around 4:24 a.m. at 560 N. Kingsley Drive, southwest of Melrose Avenue and the 101 Freeway, drawing about 160 firefighters to the scene. Firefighters initially battled flames in the building's basement, but the fire spread through the walls to multiple floors, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

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One woman was removed from the building and taken to a local hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.

Residents on the first floor were evacuated due to heavy smoke conditions, and paramedics evaluated people who had fled the building.

By 6:20 a.m., about 160 firefighters were battling the blaze, and incident commanders had ordered crews to prioritize safety amid reports that portions of the first floor had been compromised.

Firefighters declared a knockdown at 7:19 a.m., nearly three hours after the blaze was first reported.

Several apartment units were deemed uninhabitable by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.

The American Red Cross, Los Angeles Police Department, LA Emergency Management Department, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks were assisting approximately 90 displaced residents with transportation and shelter.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene for much of the day conducting overhaul operations, with fresh crews arriving to relieve those who had been battling the blaze since early morning.

The fire also prompted major traffic disruptions in the area, and motorists were urged to use alternate routes.

No additional injuries had been reported as of 6:20 a.m., according to the LAFD.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by LAFD arson investigators.