Massive blaze in downtown Los Angeles sends smoke billowing into the sky

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An intense fire erupted at a rubbish yard and spread into commercial-residential buildings, sending a thick plume of smoke billowing into the sky in downtown Los Angeles Thursday afternoon.

LAFD crews responded near San Pedro and Seventh streets around 3:10 p.m. Nearly 150 firefighters battled the massive commercial fire near Skid Row.
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A number of people were seen running away from the area.

Firefighters were initially pouring water onto the flames burning in a rubbish yard to the rear of a row of buildings with commercial businesses on the ground floor and residential units above. The raging fire eventually spread into the adjacent buildings.



It was unclear what exactly was burning, but some nearby buildings were evacuated.



A bulk of the fire was extinguished by 4 p.m., but firefighters were still there dousing hot spots. At the peak of the blaze, smoke was seen as far out as the West L.A. area.
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A 28-year-old woman was transported to a hospital in fair condition for smoke inhalation. A man was treated for smoke inhalation but he didn't need to go to the hospital.

Four commercial units and the residential units above them sustained fire damage, according to LAFD. About 30 residents were displaced.

No firefighters were injured.

City News Service contributed to this report.