Investigators are responding after human remains detection K-9s alerted officials to a particular area of a fire-torn building in North Hills, the Los Angeles Fire Department said on Wednesday.
Flames ripped through a vacant building that was formerly used as a church on the 15000 block of West Parthenia Street on Tuesday. During the overnight hours, the blaze started back up again, forcing crews into another firefight.
After extinguishing the blaze a second time, arson investigators and human remains detection K-9s canvassed the scene. One of the dogs then alerted officials to a certain part of the building where human blood, bones or tissue may have been detected.
According to the fire department, crews have been unable to reach that area. Heavy machinery is now being used to clear the way for the investigation.
The machine work could take several days, so as a result, Parthenia Street has been shut down from Columbus Avenue to Burnet Avenue until further notice.
LAFD said it was unsure if people were inside the building at the time, since unhoused people live near the structure, posing the possibility that someone could have been inside.
It’s unclear what started the fire.
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