This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
About 500 people were evacuated from the Westside Pavilion this afternoon after smoke was reported coming from within the building, which is located on Pico between Overland and Westwood. A small electric fire occurred in an empty tenant space on level three outside Nordstroms and next to Wetzel's Pretzel, according to Ashley Walkley, the Pavilion's marketing manager. No injuries were reported and the public was let back inside the mall about 35 minutes later. A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson said the smoke was reported at 12:31 p.m. and called a knockdown 25 minutes later.
