Dozens of firefighters were deployed late Wednesday night to douse a roaring third-alarm fire at a Downtown Long Beach apartment, authorities said.
The fire occurred sometime after 11 p.m. on the 14th floor of an apartment building in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue, authorities said. Nearly 80 residents were evacuated while others were told to remain sheltered in place, according to the Long Beach Fire Department.
Firefighters worked to keep the fire in the room where it had started, extinguishing the flames in about 20 minutes, LBFD spokesperson Brian Fisk said Thursday morning.
Fisk said at least one firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Additionally, three people were displaced as a result of the fire, according to the LBFD. Workers from the Red Cross arrived at the scene to help the displaced residents find accommodation, Fisk said.
LBFD Units on scene of 3rd alarm fire on the 14th floor of an apartment building housing senior residents. Many residents were evacuated, some sheltering in place until fire extinguished. Investigators now on scene. No injuries reported. @lbfirefighters pic.twitter.com/udAH74eLba
— Long Beach Fire (CA) (@LBFD) April 14, 2022
A portion of Pacific Avenue from Seventh to Eighth streets was blocked off last night, with more than a dozen fire engines lighting up the Downtown Long Beach sky with red flashes.
Heavy smoke billowed from the Park Pacific Towers, a senior housing facility, as people from several blocks away watched firefighters turn the glowing flames into a small flicker before fully extinguishing the fire–the smell of burnt plastic filling the air.
It is not clear what caused the fire and the LBFD says the investigation is ongoing.
This story was updated to include more information from the Long Beach Fire Department.