Flames tear through South LA social services facility that feeds seniors in need

SOUTH LOS ANGELES -- Flames tore through a South Los Angeles social services building, where meals are made for hundreds of seniors in need.

The blaze broke out in the 10000 block of Central Avenue at 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

Firefighters believe the fire started at a nearby homeless encampment and quickly spread to the building.

It took nearly 90 firefighters around 25 minutes to extinguish the flames, officials said.

The Watts Labor Community Action Committee is housed in the structure. The group says it provides meals to as many as 850 seniors daily. The center also serves as a cooling facility.

Staff members say they are using a facility across the street to prepare meals on Friday.

No injuries were reported.

The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.