Torrance bank erupts in flames after driver loses control, slams into building

Saturday, August 24, 2019
TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- A driver slammed into a Chase bank late Friday evening in Torrance, igniting a massive fire, authorities said.

According to police, the motorist in a blue Honda ran a red light on West Carson Street before losing control and slamming into the building at the Hawthorne Boulevard intersection.
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Torrance Fire Department Assistant Chief Jon Henderson said the flames spread quickly throughout the structure.

"It's a bank, so it's very secure," Henderson said. "We had a little bit of an access issue. But our real issue was, the facade around the outside was a combustible metal and it was just stubborn, wouldn't go out."

A police spokesperson said the driver and a passenger were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
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The cause of the crash was under investigation, but DUI was not believed to have been a factor, authorities said.
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