A late-night fire ripped through a Glendale office building on Sunday, leaving two people dead and a neighborhood stunned as investigators try to figure out what went so horribly wrong.
The blaze was reported around 10:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Sonora Avenue, and firefighters found two bodies inside the commercial space after they knocked down the flames. Officials have not released the victims' names or said what started the fire.
Officers and fire crews rushed to the scene within minutes of the first calls. The Glendale Fire Department was joined by mutual-aid units from Burbank and Pasadena to help battle the stubborn blaze, as CBS Los Angeles reported, noting that officers initially arrived around 10:25 p.m. and immediately began working alongside firefighters.
Once the flames were out, investigators combed through the damaged interior and discovered the two bodies. Authorities have not yet said how the victims died. Detectives remained at the scene into Monday as investigators processed the building, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Helicopter video captured significant burn damage on part of the building's second floor, with investigators picking through the charred offices Monday morning. Detectives were still gathering preliminary information and documenting the scene, ABC7 reported.
Investigation underway
The Glendale Police Department's Robbery/Homicide unit is leading the investigation and has been on site as officials work to piece together the final moments before the fire. So far, investigators have not said whether the deaths will be classified as criminal or accidental, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Regional context
The Glendale office fire comes just days after a deadly house fire in Montebello last Thursday that authorities called suspicious and are investigating as a possible arson, highlighting a troubling recent stretch of fatal fires in the region. ABC7 has covered the Montebello case and the broader response by arson investigators.
Glendale police are asking anyone with information about the Sonora Avenue blaze, including any video from the area, to contact homicide detectives at 818-548-4840 as the investigation continues, a plea reiterated by NBC Los Angeles.
