Firefighters knockdown blaze at commercial building in North Hollywood

Fire crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department knocked down a fire at a one-story commercial building in North Hollywood Saturday, at 6881 N. Troost Ave.  

The building reportedly houses Levi Goldstein Auctions, which is packed with items like furniture and antiques. Witnesses told CBSLA that at least two people were trapped in the building when the fire broke out and were rescued by nearby locals. 

Lauren Gottlieb, who witnessed the fire and capture video of the flames was among the first to run toward the auction warehouse as smoke to plume from the building and screams from inside intensified.

"The screams were terrifying. So, I was running around the building, trying to see a way to get in. There were some people around here with some really heavy tools to break open the locks and the chains. They threw that open. We could hear the screams from the window. People were trapped inside with the metal bars," she said. 

According to LAFD's Margaret Stewart, the fire was reported at 50:09 p.m. Not long after, at about 5:25 p.m. part of the building's roof collapsed, at which point all crews were ordered out of the building and the transition to fighting flames in a defensive mode was made. 

Crews were able to contain the fire to the building and defend adjacent buildings, which were separated by only a few feet. 

It took 80 firefighters one hour and 46 minutes to extinguish the blaze. 

Arson investigators were on the scene, according to LAFD, as is protocol for Greater Alarm fires. Crews will remain at the scene through the night to ensure there are no more hotspots that could spark a new fire. 

No injuries were reported.