A roof collapsed, but no injuries were reported Monday morning when firefighters knocked down a fire that burned for nearly two hours at a South Los Angeles building.
The fire was reported in the 8300 block of South Hoover Street. Part of a roof collapsed during the fire at the two-story building that formerly housed the Greater Bethany Church Economic Development Center, according to authorities.
A "Mayday" call was issued after the collapse, which usually indicates the possibility of an injured, missing or trapped firefighter. All firefighters were accounted for during a search of the building, which included a mix of offices and classrooms.
The congregation moved and had not used the building since 2005.
It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building, which occupants said was being used as transitional housing for the homeless.
"I just noticed my best friend banging at the window telling me to get out," said Shanell Latham. "I initially woke my fiance up and grabbed what I could grab, and I just headed on out through the evacuation plan for the fire."
Latham and her dog escaped.
U.S. & World
There were no reports of injuries and the fire did not spread to nearby buildings, which include an apartment complex. Details regarding a cause were not immediately available.
