Firefighter hurt, 15 neighbors evacuated as strip mall burns again

One firefighter was injured and 15 people had to find a new place to stay, as a large fire consumed an East Hollywood strip mall that had been mostly destroyed in a fire 15 months ago.

The injury to a hip was not life-threatening, a spokesman said.

Firefighters were dispatched at 4:38 a.m. to 1280 N. Vermont Ave., and found a roaring fire in the vacant hulk of two-story strip mall, which had been substantially destroyed in a fire in March, 2017,said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Some 118 firefighters were called out, and reported that flames threatened an adjacent four-story, center hallway apartment building. Flames caused some damage to at least eight apartments in the 25,006-square foot building, which was constructed in 1928, Humphrey said.

The fire was declared "knocked down" at 5:52 a.m.

Fifteen people living in the Mt. Vernon Apartments were evacuated, and the American Red Cross workers were providing them emergency shelter, clothing and other needs.

"Firefighters will remain at scene through mid-morning," Humphrey said.

15 displaced 1269 N ve Mt Vernon AptsFirefighters today knocked down a fire at a vacant two-story strip mall in East Hollywood, which had been the location of a previous blaze in March 2017.

Firefighters dispatched at 4:38 a.m. to 1280 N. Vermont Ave. had the fire out at 5:52 a.m. and reported that flames had threatened an adjacent four-story center hallway apartment building, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A firefighter suffered a non-life threatening hip injury battling the fire and was transported to an area hospital in good condition, Humphrey said.

Flames caused some damage to at least eight apartments in the 25,006- square foot building, which was constructed in 1928, he said.

"Firefighters will remain at scene through mid-morning," Humphrey said.