Fire engulfs office building in downtown Los Angeles

On Friday, fire crews grappled with a massive blaze that consumed an office building in downtown Los Angeles. This incident marks the third time this year that the deserted structure has been engulfed in flames.

Over 40 Los Angeles firefighters rushed to the scene to combat the swiftly spreading fire, which ultimately led to the collapse of the two-story office building's roof.

While the cause is still under investigation, some residents speculate that squatters residing in the building may have sparked the fire. The structure, situated along Sunset Boulevard, had already been boarded up prior to succumbing to the inferno, as confirmed by the LAFD. The building had a history of previous fires, including one in early December, prompting arson investigators to arrive and determine the cause.

Adjacent to the site, a homeless encampment raised suspicions among locals, who suggested that trespassers or squatters might be responsible for the destruction. However, LAFD Battalion Chief Mike Castillo stated, "At this time, there's no indication that it was the result of homeless activity."

The fire was successfully extinguished after several hours, with no reported injuries during the incident. Fire crews are set to remain at the site throughout Friday night in collaboration with the city's Building and Safety Department.