Fire destroys South El Monte building, causes $3 million in damage

Nov. 27, 2009 | KPCC Wire Services

Fire destroyed a furniture manufacturing building in South El Monte today. It caused $3 million in damage and about 100 firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to other structures.

The fire raged for two hours after it was first reported at 4:17 a.m. at Master Design Sofa Inc., said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pittman.

The fire was officially declared out at 6:18 a.m. and no injuries were reported at the time.

Initially the fire burned furniture and other materials outside the building, but the flames spread to the interior, said County Fire Capt. Frank Reynoso.

Fire crews fought the blaze inside the building for 10 or 15 minutes, but they had to retreat because of concerns about the roof. The roof eventually collapsed into the burning structure, Reynoso said. Firefighters on scene pulled back into defensive stances as of 5 a.m.

The $3 million in damage includes $1 million to the structure and $2 million to the property, said County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers. Some of the 100 firefighters at the blaze intended to stay for several hours to ensure the flames didn't re-ignite.

Arson investigators were assigned to probe the cause of the fire, but no determination had been made as of mid-morning.

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