Vehicle crashes into Torrance bank, ignites three-alarm fire

TORRANCE, Calif. (FOX 11) - A vehicle caused a major three-alarm fire after it plowed into a bank in Torrance. 

Around 11:44 p.m. Friday firefighters and police were dispatched to a Chase bank on Carson Street and Hawthorne Boulevard in response to a report of a vehicle collision.

Officers arriving at the scene were able to rescue the two occupants inside the vehicle. One was rushed to an area hospital, the person's condition was not immediately known.

"When they got on the scene, the vehicle was completely into the structure with two occupants inside the vehicle,'' said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes.

Firefighters reported the rapid progression of the fire and called for assistance from multiple fire agencies -- Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Los Angeles County fire departments.

Forty-six firefighters battled the blaze that was "active for about three to four hours,'' Treskes said.

Northbound Hawthorne Boulevard remained closed from Carson Street to Del Amo Circle, and westbound lanes on Carson were closed from Del Amo Circle to Hawthorn Boulevard. At around 9:30 a.m., Torrance city officials urged drivers to avoid the area for the next six to eight hours.