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Centinela Fire damages 7 Mar Vista businesses

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Seven business were damaged Sunday afternoon when fire tore through a half-block stretch of Mar Vista.

The fire at 3519 S. Centinela Ave., just south of Palms Blvd., was reported to the Los Angeles Fire Department by a passerby shortly before noon. 

"By the time firefighters arrived at the scene there was a towering column of smoke in the air and a very aggressive and well entrenched fire in the common attic of this seven-business building," LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey tells KPCC.

Most of the businesses were closed at the time and firefighters had to make a forcible entry into all seven businesses, according to Humphrey.

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It took 119 firefighters 95 minutes to put out the flames. Firefighters remain at the site as they continue the mop-up.

No injuries were reported. Firefighters have not pinpointed the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation.

The strip mall includes a pizzeria, a dry cleaners and a pool supply company, among other businesses. All of the businesses sustained damage and will be closed for some period of time.

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