KTLA

Firefighters Extinguish ‘Stubborn’ Blaze at 5-Story Apartment Building in Westwood

Firefighters on Saturday night extinguished a “stubborn” fire at five-story apartment building in Westwood, authorities said.

Firefighters responded after a fire broke out at an apartment building in Westwood on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. (Credit: Sam Jadali)

The blaze burned about six of the 46 units at the Wilshire Manor Apartments in the 10600 block of Wilshire Boulevard (map), the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire started “in some sort of electrical box,” said Assistant Chief Tim Manning.

One female resident was transported to a hospital after suffering smoke inhalation while “self-evacuating” from the fourth floor, according to the Fire Department. She was listed in fair condition.

She was among a “handful” of residents who were evacuated from the building, while most occupants sheltered in place, fire officials said.

The fire, confined to walls between apartments on the fourth and fifth floors, was extinguished within 56 minutes by 130 firefighters, the LAFD said.

Officials had initially described the structure as six stories high. They later clarified that its five floors of housing are situated over a single level of parking.

People living in six units were displaced.

The 58,943-square-foot building was built in 1975, according to the LAFD.

Wilshire Boulevard was closed in both directions between Westholme and Manning avenues, authorities said. It was reopened shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday.

The estimated loss and number of residents displaced were yet to be determined, the Fire Department said.

KTLA’s Ashley Soley-Cerro contributed to this report.