Westlake District house fire spreads to apartments, forcing dozens out of their homes

WESTLAKE DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Dozens of people were forced out of their homes after a massive fire at a vacant home quickly spread to two neighboring apartment buildings in the Westlake District Monday morning.

The fire started shortly after 1 a.m. in the two-story vacant home on Reno Street near 3rd Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Over 150 firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished the flames in all three structures in just over an hour.

The roof of the vacant home collapsed, and at least 12 units in the apartment buildings were rendered uninhabitable by the fire.

At least 80 residents were displaced during the height of the blaze. The Red Cross will be assisting the affected families.

Marcus Tiu and his brother were among those who fled their home in the middle of the night. He said they were asleep when they heard the ambulance and a lot of commotion, and then saw the apartment going up in flames.

They made it out safely but were forced to leave their belongings behind.

Another resident said she woke up to flames at her window.

She told Eyewitness News that the vacant home where the fire started is often occupied by people experiencing homelessness.

She added the neighboring house is full of trash and that the neighbors don't clean up at all. She said she hears them yelling at night and is certain one of them started the fire.

Fire officials said that is a possibility.

"We've heard the same thing, that there might be homeless people inside that vacant building. That's also why we ran our dogs to search and ensure that no one was trapped," said Capt. Erik Scott.

One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported, but officials said cadaver dogs were on scene, a standard procedure for such a fire, according to officials.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.