A massive fire at an apartment complex has shut down parts of two major freeways in downtown Los Angeles.
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The LA Times has reported that the fire broke out in an apartment complex that was under construction.
The complex, comprising an entire city block, had two storeys of concrete and five floors of wooden frames. Most of the structure was lost.
huge fire downtown Los Angeles. looks really bad pic.twitter.com/h6GuBOik2s — Eric Politzer (@epolitzerphoto) December 8, 2014
The apartment complex was close to a four-level freeway interchange junction on the northern edge of downtown LA.
More than 200 firefighters were battling the blaze which broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at the corner of Temple and Fremont streets.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz told the LA Times the cause and extent of the fire were unknown.
Mr Ortiz said he did not believe anyone was working or living in the building at the time of the fire.
Two neighbouring buildings were damaged by the blaze, with fires breaking out on three floors of a 16-storey building.
Firefighters managed to gain access to the neighbouring building and prevent the fire from spreading further
The fire could be seen for several kilometres, with photos and videos on social media illustrating a dramatic blaze.
It was not known if there were any injuries.
The site was still smouldering after several hours.
A Vine video captures the blaze:
 
BREAKING: A huge fire has engulfed an apartment complex in Downtown LA. Please steer clear of area. #LAfire pic.twitter.com/ErjlKqVjey — #ThatGuyTy (@TyreeBP) December 8, 2014
BREAKING: The #LAfire is said to be spreading & freeways are now being shut down. Steer clear of area at all costs. pic.twitter.com/tYlstHFYU4 — #ThatGuyTy (@TyreeBP) December 8, 2014
�� "@AusNewsNetwork: #BREAKING: Huge fire engulfs an apartment complex in Downtown Los Angeles. #LAfire pic.twitter.com/6XyleHJzUT" @KajEriksen" — Vanessa Cater (@VanessaCater) December 8, 2014
#LAfire RT @elliotwagland It looks like the end of the world as Downtown Los Angeles is engulfed in a huge fire pic.twitter.com/adGq1kM39g — Nagashi (@dieNagashi) December 8, 2014
Wtf!!?!! Massive #LAFIRE right now pic.twitter.com/8YIKcS4T91 — Luke Storey (@LukeStoreyStyle) December 8, 2014