Firefighters extinguished a “large emergency structure fire” in a row of commercial buildings in the 9000 block of West Venice Avenue, the LAFD said. “Heavy smoke affected at least a half-dozen businesses, including a feline boarding facility, where several cats were rescued but others sadly lost,” said Brian Humphrey, a Fire Department spokesman. Two cats were receiving medical attention after being rescued. Firefighters responded to the scene at 5:44 a.m. and had the fire out within 73 minutes of arriving, Humphrey said. Although thick smoke charred most of the large building that had a shared attic, the bulk of the fire damage was contained to three businesses, the LAFD said. “One firefighter became ill during the intense fire and was transported to an area hospital in good condition for observation,” Humphrey said. There were no civilian injuries. The causes of the fire are being investigated. Vehicular traffic on Venice Boulevard between Robertson and Culver avenues would be restricted to one westbound lane Saturday afternoon as firefighters and investigators remained at the scene, the LAFD said. Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
