Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze that erupted behind a store at 5635 Melrose Ave. on Monday evening, limiting the damage to the mezzanine level at the rear of the building.

A fire on Monday night damaged the Melrose Gallery, a business that rents furniture and other household items — primarily to studios. The business remains open. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The fire was reported at 6:30 p.m. at the Melrose Gallery, located near the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Larchmont Boulevard. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said the arriving firefighters were directed by a civilian to the rear of the building, and they extinguished the flames in 27 minutes. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, and no estimate of damage or loss was available. No injuries were reported, but traffic was congested on Melrose Avenue for more than two hours while the fire department personnel fought the fire and then assisted with the clean up.

Brian Simanian, owner of Melrose Gallery, said he was at home shortly after 6 p.m. when he got a call that the building was on fire.

“I got a call from an employee who said there was smoke coming from the building, and I came quick,” Simanian said. “It’s a lousy phone call to get.”

Simanian said his family has owned the building and gallery for more than 10 years, and they have not had any similar problems in the past. The business rents furniture, chandeliers, mirrors and antiques to studios for use in productions, and is also open to the public.

“It’s so bad,” Simanian said. “I never thought something like this would happen.”

Humphrey said it may take several days to determine the exact cause of the blaze, but it does not appear to be suspicious in origin.

Simanian said the business remains open, but the family was still in the process of cleaning up and repairing the damage as of Wednesday.

“We are clearing stuff out and trying to get contractors to fix the building,” Simanian added. “Our truck was burned and some of the stuff was damaged that we had towards the back that we were getting ready for orders. It’s so unfortunate.”