Crews are at the scene of two massive fires in Los Angeles, including one downtown that closed down portions of two major freeways and blanketed the area in heavy smoke.
Los Angeles Fire Department said more than 250 firefighters were battling the blaze on Monday.
David Ortiz, Los Angeles fire department spokesman, told Al Jazeera the fire had affected thousands of people in the city.
“It is under control, but it did cause extensive damage to two buildings,” Ortiz said.
The fire was burning a building planned to be a tall residential structure.
Ortiz added he didn’t think anyone was living or working there.
The city’s 101 Freeway was closed in both directions, while the California Highway Patrol says transition lanes between the 110 and 101 freeways were shutdown.
The fire department spokesperson said that the cause and extent of the fire are not yet known.About 3 hours later a fire was reported at a mixed-use building about 2 miles (3 kilometers) to the west. About 100 firefighters are on that scene.
No injuries are reported from either fire. Terrazas says there's no indication the two incidents are connected.