WeHo Structure Fire Shuts Down Melrose Ave and San Vicente Blvd

A structure fire at the 8600 block of Melrose Avenue shut down traffic in WeHo streets early morning at roughly 6 a.m.. West Hollywood Sheriffs and LA County Fire Department were on the scene.

“GOOD MORNING #WeHo,” reads a post on West Hollywood Sheriff’s social media platforms. “Please use alternate routes, currently Melrose Ave is closed between Huntley Dr and Robertson Blvd. Thank Your for your patience!”

Road closures also included San Vicente Boulevard at Rosewood Avenue to northbound traffic. Commuters were encouraged to use alternate routes.

It is not yet clear the source of the fire, but Zinc Cafe & Market located at 8607 Melrose Avenue and Du Vin Wine & Spirits at 540 N. San Vicente, both had some fire damage.

According to a source, most of the damaged was sustained by Du Vin’s exterior wall, but the business itself was not severely damaged, due to the fast response from Los Angeles County Fire Department. The building was not red-tagged and can continue to operate for business.

Zinc did sustain some electrical damage. Gas tanks exploded in the back and the electrical meters are scorched, cutting off electricity. It is not yet clear if they will be able to open for business due to electrical issues.

The streets were open to moving traffic at roughly 10 a.m. It is not yet clear what started the fire. A source says it appears to be electrical, but that is still under investigation. No injuries were reported.

There was another fire earlier this week, not far from this recent structural fire, at the parking lot of 8730 Santa Monica Boulevard. West Hollywood Sheriff’s reported that it was arson and the suspect believed to have torched two vehicles and attempted to light a third one had been arrested days later. A source told WEHO TIMES, a ring camera in one of the vehicles recorded the suspect stuffing wads of paper in the vehicles and lighting it on fire. The video footage was turned over to Sheriffs deputies and was useful in leading to an arrest three days later.

This is a reminder to have an evacuation plan in case of a fire and to make sure to keep important documents safe for fire damage by investing in a fire proof safe.