Hollywood : Theater Fire Not Arson
City fire officials have ruled out arson as the cause of a July 24 fire at the Stella Adler Theatre complex in Hollywood.
Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said Wednesday that the cause of the blaze is under investigation but that arson investigators say it was either the result of electrical problems or another accidental cause.
The fire broke out at 8:54 a.m. and raced along the common attic above a stretch of buildings from 6250 to 6258 Hollywood Blvd., at the corner of Argyle Avenue. About 60 firefighters from 18 fire companies responded and declared the fire out 45 minutes later.
Most of the damage was kept to the common attic above the theater, a Teen Canteen runaway shelter, a hamburger stand and soul food restaurant. Ruda said damage was estimated at about $550,000.
The buildings had been targeted for demolition as part of the Rail Construction Corp.’s plans to build a leg of the Metro Rail subway underneath Hollywood Boulevard.
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