Office Supply Warehouse Engulfed in Mother’s Day Morning Fire

‍ ‍Bluebird Office Supply, 1225 Hope Street in the South Park neighborhood literally exploded in flames early on Mother’s Day morning.  The first alarm was turned in at 4:40 am when flames burst through the roof of the 100-year-old structure surrounded by several high-rise apartment buildings.  Fortunately, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded quickly and with force.  The blaze was well contained by 5:52 am and many surrounding structures were protected from becoming involved.

The fire was especially intense as it was fueled by floor to ceiling and wall to wall boxes of stationery, filing supplies, and many plastic office products.  While containment was quickly achieved, the fire roared back around 10:00 am when the roof of the structure collapsed.  It took constant attention by LAFD throughout the day and well into the evening to keep the smoldering contents from reigniting and required the help of a front loader to remove the contents bucket by bucket while fire fighters doused individual bucket loads.  There was still significant smoke emanating from the building late into the evening.  Ash continued to fall on the entire neighborhood until late the next day.

One firefighter was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.  While arson investigators have been called in, no determination of the cause of the fire has been offered and there is little further information about the fire at this time.

                                 By:  John Nilsson