Firefighters extinguish blaze in Pico-Union apartment building

LOS ANGELES, CA (FOX 11/CNS) - Firefighters needed about an hour Wednesday morning to extinguish a blaze in a two-story, six-unit apartment building in the Pico- Union neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Crews responded at 3:23 a.m. to 1446 S. Toberman St. and discovered heavy fire on the second floor of the 3,878 square-foot building, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A total of 78 firefighters were able to confine the flames to the upper floor and attic of the building and a knockdown was declared at 4:22 a.m., he said.

No injuries were reported, but significant structural damage occurred that will require an inspection from the Department of Building and Safety, Humphrey said.

FOX 11's Gigi Graciette was live at the scene during the newscast and says 23 people were displaced, which includes 16 adults, seven children and several pets.

Itzel Flores and her boyfriend Manuel Sosa recount the terrifying moment their apartment exploded in flames. The young couple, who are expecting their first child, left with only seconds to get out of their second floor unit. Manuel said, "I told her get out. If I stay, I stay. Just get out with the baby."

Once Itzel and her family were safe, Manuel ran back into the burning building, knocking on doors to wake up his neighbors and help them get out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.