VIDEO: Firefighters tonight battled a major emergency blaze in a large, vacant warehouse in Woodland Hills, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures and putting out the bulk of the flames in just over one hour.
The fire was reported at 9:10 p.m. at 6000 N. De Soto Ave., said the Los Angeles Fire Department's Margaret Stewart.
The 80 firefighters called to the scene went into defensive mode right away, surrounding the building with hose lines and spraying water on the warehouse from outside while protecting surrounding structures.
At 9:37 p.m., Stewart reported the structural integrity of the building was starting to fail.
The bulk of the flames were out at 10:19 p.m., she said.
“The remaining pockets of fire are difficult to reach with exterior hose lines and due to the structural instability, crews will remain in the defensive mode,'' she said. "Therefore, this will continue to be an active, extended operation.'' Motorists were urged to avoid the area.