The massive Los Angeles fire that burned a large apartment tower will be investigated as a criminal fire, authorities said Monday.
“There may have been some foul play,” Capt. Jaime Moore told the Los Angeles Times, noting that while fires this size are always treated as criminal, it’s highly unusual for a building to go up in a blaze all at once.
Dogs trained to identify chemical accelerants in cases of arson were present at the scene. Arson investigators are looking into the building and its financial records.
The fire occurred at the DaVinci apartment complex around 1:20 a.m. PT on Monday. Flames were visible for miles around and forced the closure of nearby freeways and roads.
See the Crazy Fire That Engulfed Downtown Los Angeles
Firefighters rush to a large apartment building fire in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Alamy Live NewsFirefighters battle a fire at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Mariana Rosales—EPAA large fire at an apartment building under construction rages in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Damian Dovarganes—APFirefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Gene Blevins—LA DailyNews/CorbisFirefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Damian Dovarganes—APFirefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Michael Meadows—EPAFirefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Gene Blevins—ReutersFirefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Gene Blevins—ReutersLos Angeles County firefighters battle a blaze at an apartment building under construction next to the Harbor CA-110 Freeway in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. David McNew—Getty ImagesMore than 200 firefighters work to control a fire that lit up the skyline as it destroys a seven-story building under construction in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2014. Benjamin Dunn—EPA
