December 8, 2014 6:33 AM EST
H undreds of firefighters battled to contain a huge fire at an under-construction apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles early Monday. Flames and smoke from the blaze dominated the city skyline and officials told commuters to brace for a messy morning as the Harbor Freeway was closed in both directions.
David Ortiz, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said at 3 a.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) that 250 firefighters were on scene and predicted the incident would not be over for “at least three to four hours.” He added: “The fire is very hot right now because the building was under construction and very open. The commute will be very difficult.”
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The Most Beautiful Wildfire Photos You'll Ever See The Meadow Fire burns overnight near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns at dawn near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns overnight near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained.
Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns overnight near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns at dawn near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns at dawn near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014 as rain moves in from the south. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns overnight near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained.
Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns at dawn near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns overnight near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained. Stuart Palley The Meadow Fire burns at dawn near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park early Monday September 8, 2014. As of Wednesday the fire had burned over 4,500 acres and was 10% contained.
Stuart Palley
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