Firefighters extinguish blaze at commercial building in downtown LA after roof partially collapses

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A dramatic fire erupted Friday morning at a commercial building in downtown Los Angeles, causing the structure's roof to partially collapse before the flames were extinguished.

The blaze was reported shortly before 4:30 a.m. at a two-story building in the 1600 block of East 8th Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The agency said 118 firefighters responded to the incident, and they were initially in a defensive position as massive flames emanated from the roof.

No injuries were reported, and it was unclear if anyone was inside the building when the fire began.

The fire was officially knocked down after about an hour and 45 minutes, the LAFD said, and it was prevented from spreading beyond the single structure.

The cause of the fire was unknown.