UPDATED: Fire Causes $2.5 Mil in Damage

Originally posted at 9:38 a.m. Feb. 18, 2014. Edited to add new information. 

A possible arson fire resulted in an estimated $2.5 million in damage today to a West Hollywood office building and left two firefighters with minor injuries.

Flames and smoke were showing from both floors of the two-story building when the first fire units arrived in the 8400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard around 2:30 a.m., said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Tony Akins.

More than 100 firefighters worked for about an hour and 10 minutes to put out the flames, which resulted in “substantial damage to both floors,” Akins said. County firefighters were assisted by personnel from the Los Angeles city and Beverly Hills fire departments, Akins said.

Damage was estimated at $2.5 million, according to the sheriff's department, which sent arson investigators to the scene.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment, Akins said, adding that firefighters checked the building twice to be certain no one was inside, and could not find anyone.

Mitch Jackson told ABC7 that he was in the area after having gone to a 7-Eleven store when he saw someone who may have started the blaze.

“Walking past, (I) heard glass breaking, and I looked over, and there was a guy throwing what looked to me like firebombs through the window downstairs,” Jackson told Channel 7.

Sheriff's investigators urged possible witnesses to call arson investigators at (323) 881-7500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

--City News Service