A fast-moving second-alarm blaze tore through a two-story commercial building in Van Nuys late Saturday, sending close to 70 Los Angeles firefighters racing to the 7400 block of North Valjean Avenue. Flames were punching through the roof when crews arrived, and teams went to work cutting through the metal roof for ventilation while others attacked the fire inside. Within about 30 minutes, the blaze was knocked down. No injuries were reported and operations at nearby Van Nuys Airport continued without interruption.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the call came in around 8:28 p.m. as Incident #1495. Crews rolled up on a roughly 150-by-150-foot, two-story commercial structure with “heavy fire” showing. The department listed approximately 68 personnel assigned to the incident, and radio traffic showed Task Force 90 asking for additional units as they sized up the fire.
Roof Team Cuts Through Metal As Crews Dodge Live Wires
Aerial footage reviewed by CBS Los Angeles showed firefighters using power tools to carve an opening in the metal roof, venting smoke and heat so interior crews could chase back the flames below. The station also reported radio chatter about arching between electrical wires in the immediate area, adding an extra layer of risk as firefighters pushed to contain the blaze.
City Agencies Called In, Cause Still Under Investigation
The incident wrap-up noted that the Department of Water & Power, Department of Transportation and Department of Building and Safety were all notified as the response ramped up. Crews stayed on scene for several hours to hunt down stubborn hot spots. The Los Angeles Fire Department declared a knockdown at 8:59 p.m. and said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Van Nuys has kept firefighters busy this spring. Earlier this month, crews quickly contained a garage blaze in a run that snuffed a garage fire in 20 minutes, and a separate vacant-building fire covered by MyNewsLA underscored how quickly these incidents can threaten neighboring properties. Investigators typically remain on scene after overhaul to pinpoint where a fire started, with cause details released once they are confirmed.
Officials asked residents to steer clear of the area while investigators work and said more information will be released as it becomes available. We will update this report as officials share additional details.
