High-Rise Catches Fire In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — Firefighters extinguished a two-alarm fire that damaged half of the roof of a high-rise apartment building in Santa Monica in about 30 minutes, authorities said Thursday.

Firefighters responded about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday to the Pacific Plaza apartments located at 1431 Ocean Ave., and spotted a large fire on the roof of the 15-story building, according to Capt. Patrick Nulty of the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Crews used the building's stairwells to gain access to the fire, carrying tools and special hose packs, while fire engines pumped water into the building's "stand pipe" system to allow firefighters to connect their hoses on the upper floors, Nulty said.

All 35 on-duty firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished the flames in 28 minutes, Nulty said. The fire damaged 50 percent of the roof and three apartments below the fire sustained minor water damage.

The building's fire alarm system alerted residents to evacuate before firefighters arrived, Nulty said.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this post