Authorities believe the construction site was empty when the fire was sparked. Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP

A massive fire in downtown Los Angeles early Monday engulfed an apartment tower under construction, damaged two other buildings and left freeways and roads closed.

More than 250 firefighters battled the blaze at an apartment tower under construction, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman David Ortiz said. The building contained was 1.3 million square feet of floor space, and officials said two-thirds of it was consumed by flames.

Firefighters used the 110 Freeway to set up equipment to fight the blaze.

Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze for several hours in downtown LA. Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP

The bulk of the fire was put out in 90 minutes but firefighters continue to deal with hot spots, LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said.

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The LAFD said two other buildings along Figueroa Street were also damaged by the fire: A building at 313 N. Figueroa St. sustained "external damage from radiant heat" while fire damaged several floors of a 16-storey office tower at 212 N. Figueroa St.

Fire Department spokesman Jaime Moore told The LA Times the office tower sustained fire and sprinkler water damage.

The fire in downtown Los Angeles. Photo: Mariana R on Twitter

"Large windows gave under the amount of heat," Moore said, adding that sprinklers activated on six of its floors. "There was active fire on three floors."

Moore said firefighters managed to get inside both buildings and prevent the fires from spreading.

The fire in downtown LA. Photo: Mariana R on Twitter

Moore said the apartment complex covered an entire block. The bottom two storeys were made of concrete; the upper five floors were made of wood frame. Much of the structure was lost.

"This is a significant building that has sustained serious damage," he said.

As of 5am local time, the site was still smouldering. Officials said it was unknown when it would be fully extinguished.

Terrazas described a chaotic scene at the scene of the fire, with its heat becoming so intense that it broke windows in nearby buildings. Parts of the apartment building scaffolding also collapsed.

Officials said the cause of the blaze was not yet known. There were no injuries. Arson investigators were on the scene, but officials said that was common for such a large blaze.

"It still too early to make that determination," Terrazas said, adding that investigators were talking to witnesses and reviewing security camera video.

A series of dense, upscale apartment complexes have been built over the last decade around the 101-110 freeway interchange, and another one, known as the DaVinci, was currently under construction.

"Experience urban-style elegance and European living in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The Da Vinci, the newest member of the Renaissance collection, will offer fifteen unique floor plans to match your lifestyle," the project's website said. "Indulge in world-class amenities, such as a state of the art fitness facility, a full size indoor basketball court, a residential lounge, a library, a theatre and a business centre."

The building was in the news earlier this year when the developer sought a pedestrian bridge that would link the DaVinci to other complexes in the area and offer residents a direct route into downtown attractions.

The developer told the city that transients living under the nearby 110 Freeway pose a safety threat to his future renters. The bridge proposal faced criticism from some in downtown. But in May, the City Council approved it.

Developer Geoffrey Palmer's company is known for the Orsini, the Medici and other faux-Italian apartment buildings that have risen along the four-level interchange in downtown L.A. The complexes have been part of the revitalization of downtown, thought critics have complained about the design and size of the buildings.

When the fire broke out at about 1:20 a.m., flames could be seen for miles, with some people on social media capturing shots from as far away as the Hollywood Hills. Other photos and video captured flames racing into the air as motorists drove by.

Moore said it might take some time to reopen the northbound 110 Freeway. Besides having emergency vehicles parked on the roadway, he said, there is some scaffolding from the building still standing and officials are worried it could collapse onto the freeway.

Video from KTLA showed that heat from the fire burned freeway directional signs and melted the plastic traffic bumps embedded into the roadway. The video showed much of the apartment building burned to the ground, but its fire escape was still standing.

LA Times