Charter High School Called Total Loss After Massive Fire

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Fire crews Tuesday battled a blaze at Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School, which is now being called a total loss, officials said.

Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said the fire was reported just before 2:30 p.m. in the 11000 block of South Western Avenue, which was closed for several hours.

By midafternoon, crews were "getting their initial attack underway" and were "in defensive mode to save what they can of the building," officials said.

"Construction was taking place for general upkeep and maintenance," said Gabriel Sanchez, Director of Communications for Green Dot Public Schools. "The campus itself is vacant."

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and no injuries on campus were reported, though a firefighter was reported to have injured an elbow. No students, staff or teachers were on campus.

School had been scheduled to start Aug. 12.