Fire destroys business in North Hills, displaces dozens of neighboring residents

"More than 100 firefighters put out a blaze at a two-story building Tuesday in Los Angeles that prompted evacuations, according to authorities. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded around 5:43 p.m. in the 15200 block of West Parthenia Street in North Hills to a fire in a commercial building, according to an LAFD news release. The blaze was threatening a neighboring four-story apartment building so commanders ordered firefighters to defend it, the department said."

"A total of 27 people, including six adults and 21 children, were displaced by the fire, officials said. Paramedics evaluated three people and two women were hospitalized in fair condition, according to the release. Three of the 41 units in the apartment building were yellow-tagged, authorities said. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation provided DASH buses as temporary shelter for displaced residents while the city's housing authority and local chapter of the American Red Cross helped with food and relocation needs."

"Edward Viramontes told ABC7 that he thinks he know how the fire started. Viramontes, who lives in the adjacent apartment building, saw a woman hunched over something two hours before the fire started. He also saw sparks. The person reportedly jumped over the fence after the blaze started. Viramontes shared the photo he took of the woman with arson investigators."

More than 100 firefighters responded to a fire at a two-story commercial building in the 15200 block of West Parthenia Street in North Hills, Los Angeles. The blaze threatened a neighboring four-story apartment building, prompting commanders to defend it and evacuate residents. Twenty-seven people, including six adults and 21 children, were displaced. Paramedics evaluated three people and two women were hospitalized in fair condition. Three apartment units were yellow-tagged. DASH buses, the city's housing authority, and the Red Cross provided shelter, food, and relocation support. Crews extinguished the fire in under two hours after a roof collapse allowed direct attack. LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism is investigating. A neighbor reported seeing a woman and sparks before the fire and shared a photo with investigators.

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