On January 21, 2014, LAFD and LA County firefighters were called to 5208 West Centinela Avenue. Arriving companies were met with thick black smoke and flames billowing from a two story commercial structure. Three squatters were immediately spotted and rescued from the roof of the burning structure. After descending the fire department ladders the unidentified civilians fled the scene.
An aggressive interior fire attack ensued but firefighters were quickly driven back by the intensity of the blaze. A coordinated retreat was ordered and a transition to a defensive exterior attack continued. A partial roof collapse trapping flames beneath heavy debris made containment extremely challenging.
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