Firefighters swiftly extinguished a blaze at a vacant craftsman-style residence in Pico-Union on Monday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire was reported at 04:19 PM at 1218 S Menlo Ave, with flames visible at the rear of the two-story building when crews arrived on the scene.

Upon arrival, the LAFD reported that the home was boarded up; the team of 35 firefighters had to force entry into the basement and the first floor to attack the fire, the interior teams encountered a heavy accumulation of stored items that challenged both fire attack and searching the premises but they coordinated efforts to ensure that all flames were doused in 26 minutes. Notably, there were no injuries reported during the incident.

The effective response was conducted under the guidance of Central Bureau's Battalion 11, with multiple units including Engine 13, Engine 211, Truck 11, and others participating in the operation. The LAFD's official alert also mentioned that Hazardous Materials Squad 21 and two Rescue Ambulances were on hand, though their services were not ultimately required.

Fire Station 13, stationed in the Central Bureau, spearheaded the emergency response; the fire's cause remains under investigation at this time, details about the fire's origins or potential motives for why a vacant property caught flames are yet to surface, the LAFD has not yet provided a damage estimate for the home, which stood deserted prior to the fire. Authorities will continue to examine the incident to understand its full context and implications for neighborhood safety.