Body Found In Burned SFV Church

NORTH HILLS, CA — Authorities on Thursday said they found a body in the remains of a major fire that destroyed a vacant former church on Tuesday.

The fire destroyed a boarded-up, two-story commercial building on the 15200 block of W. Parthenia Street, west of Burnet Avenue in North Hills. The building partially collapsed, prompting authorities to order its demolition, according to the LAFD.

On Wednesday, cadaver dogs were brought to the scene to detect human remains. The dogs showed interest in a particular area that firefighters were unable to access at that time.

Firefighters responded by "strategically demolishing the structure so the debris can be searched and cleared," the LAFD said.

On Thursday afternoon, authorities said that they had located a body in the remains of the former church. Authorities were able to identify the victim at that time.

"LAFD Incident Command, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, and LAPD are working together to effect body removal in a dignified manner while fire operations continue throughout the day and into Friday," the LAFD said.

Parthenia Street remains closed between Columbus and Burnet avenues. The road is expected to reopen on Friday.

It took around 100 firefighters around two hours to extinguish the blaze Tuesday night. The fire displaced 27 people from an adjacent apartment building.