Massive fire rips through three-story home under construction in Hermosa Beach, suspect detained

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (FOX 11) - A person was questioned by arson investigators Thursday morning after a two-alarm fire damaged a three-story home under construction in Hermosa Beach and spread to four other nearby homes before it was extinguished.

"It's not unusual for someone to possibly stick around in an arson case,'' Inspector Brian Stevens of the Los Angeles County Fire Department told reporters at the scene. "Right now, this is under investigation, it's not deemed an arson yet. But, the L.A. County Fire Department Arson Unit does have someone detained and they are going to be questioning him on the cause.''

The fire was first reported about 2 a.m. near the intersection of Eighth Street and Hermosa Avenue, officials said.

Knockdown was declared about 3 .a.m.

Video from the scene showed flames on nearby homes. Four homes were damaged and some residents were briefly evacuated, Stevens said.

No injuries were reported.

CNS contributed to this report.