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Video: Massive fire destroys L.A. apartment complex

More than 250 firefighters battled the blaze that damaged three floors before being brought under control

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Firefighters battle a fire at an apartment building under construction. The building was not occupied.

AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Crews are at the scene of two massive fires in Los Angeles, including one downtown that closed down portions of two major freeways and blanketed the area in heavy smoke.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas says more than 250 firefighters battled the downtown blaze that was sparked at a construction site around 1:20 a.m. Monday. The fire consumed the wood-framed structure and damaged three floors of an adjacent high-rise before being brought under control. Portions of U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 110 were shut down.

About 3 hours later a fire was reported at a mixed-use building about 2 miles to the west. About 100 firefighters are on that scene.

No injuries are reported from either fire.

Terrazas says there’s no indication the two incidents are connected.