LOS ANGELES (KTLA) - It took over 100 firefighters more than an hour and a half to contain a fire at a historic downtown Los Angeles building in an incident that officials declared a "Major Emergency."
The blaze at 1246 South Hope Street was reported around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Sky5 footage showed intense flames and heavy smoke billowing into the sky.
The fire drew a response from 17 fire companies, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a news alert, and later added that the battle lasted for an hour and 37 minutes.
SFGate reports the blaze was in the 110-year-old building once home to the Morrison Hotel, which was the site of a famous photoshoot for the fifth album by The Doors, fronted by singer Jim Morrison.
More recently, the building "was poised to become an affordable housing complex after it was bought by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in December 2023," SFGate added.
No injuries were reported, even though firefighters "placed ground ladders to the fire escapes to assist unhoused persons exiting the vacant structure."
Fire officials were expected to remain on scene for an "extended duration."
"Drivers are advised to avoid Pico x Hope area in Downtown LA," the alert said.
LAFD Arson is investigating the cause of the blaze.
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