firelensman – 7-22-2019 Culver City, California. Culver City Firefighters battled a spectacular blaze that tore through a large one story “99 Cents Only” store at 12741 West Washington Boulevard in the City of Culver City.
CCFD Firefighters attempted an interior attack to get to the seat of the fire but were pushed back by heavy smoke conditions and low visibility. Via mutual aid agreements Los Angeles Firefighters assisted on scene, ventilating the building and stretching hose lines.
Firefighters above reported heavy fire showing from the trench cuts they were making and were ordered off the roof and to prepare to go defensive.
As the roof collapsed inwards, flames quickly engulfed the approximate 200 by 400 ft. structure, sending fireballs approximately 100 feet into the air. CCFD and LAFD Firefighters knocked down the flames with several ladder pipes, portable monitors, wagon batteries and good old fashioned hand-lines.
A few hours into the the firefight the building’s walls collapsed inwards. Heavy equipment was brought in for the overhaul to reach smoldering hot spots and move debris inside the ruins.
Firefighters also had to contend with transformers and downed power lines in the rear, cutting electricity off to nearby residents.
Culver City Police assisted with traffic and crowd control. There were no reported injuries. By dawn the block long building was a burned out shell and a complete loss. Neighbors think the fire started in the rear of the building with signs of transients and homeless persons living on the street behind.
The cause of the intense late night “multiple alarm” blaze is under investigation. – MNR –
