3 firefighters injured battling commercial fire in Boyle Heights

BOYLE HEIGHTS, CA (FOX 11/CNS) - A raging fire destroyed a Boyle Heights import business and three firefighters were injured, one critically, when the roof of the sprawling warehouse-type structure gave way beneath their feet.

The blaze broke out for unknown reasons about 12:45 p.m. in the 2800 block of East Pico Boulevard and burned through the roof of the building.

Crews began pouring water on the structure and worked to vent the roof of the 16,000-square-foot building, with initial reports indicating that as many as a dozen people might be inside, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott.

A short time later, the roof gave way, and one of three firefighters who were on top of the building fell partially into the burning structure, according to the LAFD. The other two firefighters were able to pull him up to safety.

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All three suffered burn injuries, with the firefighter who fell partially into the building hospitalized in critical condition, and the other two listed in fair condition with lesser burns.

No other injuries were immediately reported.

Firefighters then assumed a defensive posture, pouring water on the structure from the outside. The blaze was declared knocked down around 3 p.m., but crews continued to spray water on the smoldering structure to prevent any flareups.

About 150 firefighters were assigned to the blaze.

Scott noted that the building had a large amount of baled goods inside that fed the flames. The Passion Imports website indicates the company specializes in apparel, accessories and souvenirs.

The business owner, Arun Dutt, told reporters at the scene that a crew of about 10 people had been inside the warehouse most of the day "changing the lights."

"They were done almost, 60 percent, and then it starts -- something happened in front of us and then they couldn't control it," he said.

At one point during the blaze, workers could be seen carrying what appeared to be propane tanks away from the burning structure.

Crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent businesses, and appeared to have gained the upper hand on the flames within about 45 minutes.

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