Glendora, CA found its firefighters wrestling with flames at a vacant commercial building late Wednesday night. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to reports of smoke and fire at approximately 9:23 p.m. on S. Lone Hill Ave. According to an update from the department's official Twitter account, the situation on the ground swiftly escalated to a second-alarm fire, calling for additional resources to contain the blaze.
The challenge increased, when the structure's roof gave way, which compelled the crew to switch to a defensive approach to tackle the fire raging within the building's walls. The LACoFD PIO's post confirmed the partial collapse that hindered the firefighters' efforts; only adding to the intensity of the scene.
2ND ALARM COMMERCIAL BUILDING FIRE | FS85 | 1332 S Lone Hill Ave #Glendora | At approx. 9:23 p.m. #LACoFD arrived on scene of a vacant commercial building with smoke and fire. Units are currently in defensive mode due to a partial roof collapse.#LoneHillIC
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) April 7, 2024
With concerted efforts, the team of roughly 75 firefighters managed to declare a knockdown by 10:55 p.m., as per a report from the LACoFD. The fire's ferocity was contained, preserving more than two-thirds of the building from destruction. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or victims found within the premises. The information regarding the successful containment of the fire came through an update on the fire department's feed.
**Update** 2ND ALARM COMMERCIAL BUILDING FIRE |
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) April 7, 2024
FS85 | 1332 S Lone Hill Ave #Glendora | #LACoFD Units are were able to hold the fire to a little more than 1/3 of the building. Knockdown declared at 10:55 p.m. No reports of injuries or victims. #LoneHillIC
At the time of the incident, the building at 1332 S. Lone Hill Ave was not in commercial use, and it appeared vacant, avoiding a potentially more catastrophic event. "Crews do not believe the structure was under commercial use at this time," Fred Fielding of the Los Angeles County Fire Department stated, according to NBC Los Angeles. The origin and cause of the fire are yet to be determined as investigations continue.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the scene of the fire, marked by thick plumes of acrid smoke and the hollowed remains of what once stood has become a testament to the dangers that lurk in the stillness of unused spaces, ready to be awakened by an unknown spark. Community members have been spared the loss of any human life, yet the ashes still hold the silent stories of what was and what might have been, before the flames took hold.
