Greater Alarm Fire Tears Through Woodland Hills Strip Mall

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — Firefighters got the upperhand Friday on a stubborn strip mall that spread to the attics of multiple businesses in Woodland Hills.

The greater-alarm fire broke out in the 20900 block of Victory Boulevard at about 5:26 Monday. The fire spread through the common attic, forcing crews into a defensive position. Firefighters used handlines to douse the flames from outside the building, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman.

It took 106 firefighters 49 minutes to knock down the fire, which caused "significant damage" to the unit of origin and spread to an adjacent unit, the LAFD's Margaret Stewart said.

Crews "aggressively defended the two additional units being exposed under the common attic and prevented the fire's spread," Stewart said.

One firefighter was evaluated for a minor injury, Stewart said.

An arson investigation was begun to determine the cause of the fire, Stewart said.