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Silver Lake Structure Fire Spreads To Freeway [UPDATE]
The Los Angeles Fire Department is currently battling a large fire in Silver Lake. The fire, which originated with a structure on the 2200 block of Allesandro Way, was first reported just after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The flames quickly spread to nearby brush, before reaching the nearby 2 freeway, where they appear to have spread down the median. LAFD officer Erik Scott told LAist that more than 75 firefighters were responding from the ground and air, and that no injuries had been reported.
The 2 freeway is closed in both directions in Echo Park, according to Mekahlo Medina of NBC News, who also reports that three homes are now engulfed in the fire.
The National Weather Service had previously issued red flag fire danger warnings for Los Angeles and Oxnard County due to the extreme heat. The warnings are in effect from Sunday to Tuesday.
So, the freeway at the bottom of my neighborhood appears to be on fire. pic.twitter.com/ru3TiCrKG0
— Laura J. Nelson 🦅 (@laura_nelson) June 19, 2016
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The Eastsider reports that residents have been evacuating from neighboring Corralitas Drive, Lake View Avenue and Silver Ridge Avenue.
Update [2:40 p.m.]: The LAFD reports that there are now more than 150 firefighters on the scene, working to keep the flames from moving west of Silver Ridge Avenue and east of Corralitas Drive. The southern end of the 2 freeway (south of the 5 freeway) remains closed, according to the Daily News.
Update [3:00 p.m.]: LAFD officer Erik Scott reports that the fire is now 100 percent contained. According to the LAFD, five acres of medium to heavy brush burned, along with two non-residential structures (possibly sheds). No homes burned, although five were threatened near Lake View Avenue and Silver Ridge Avenue.
Update [3:45 p.m.]: The fire remains out, but the 2 freeway in Echo Park is still closed in both directions.
Update [4:15 p.m.]: According to the CHP, the 2 freeway remains closed to southbound traffic at the intersection of the 5 freeway; a detour is available.
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