Fire Destroys Fashion District Stores
Two Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters are recovering from injuries sustained in a Sept. 1 fire that destroyed four wholesale/retail apparel stores in the Los Angeles Fashion District.
The fire, which erupted at 11:10 a.m. in the attic of Beleza Fashion at 1129 S. San Julian St., quickly spread to the building’s neighboring businesses, which included Samantha Collections, Juno Collection and ABM Jeans, said LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey.
About 125 firefighters from 21 companies responded, along with search and rescue and HazMat units. It took about an hour to put out the flames. Firefighters had to take a defensive position for fear that the 69-year-old building would collapse, and the roof did cave in, fire officials said.
One firefighter suffered shoulder and elbow injuries along with heat exhaustion; another injured his ankle. Both were taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where they were treated and released.
Investigators determined that an electrical malfunction somewhere in the building started the fire. They estimated damage at about $1.5 million.
“It was a big fire,” said Kent Smith, executive director of the Fashion District Business Improvement District. “The fire department did a good job in making sure it didn’t spread to other neighboring businesses.” Smith said BID security assisted fire personnel with keeping onlookers from getting too close.
—Robert McAllister
