A structure fire that was reported shortly before noon on April 29 in Koreatown heavily damaged two homes and displaced 19 people.

(photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze, which started at approximately 11:50 a.m. in a residence at 173 S. Ardmore Ave., north of Third Street and east of Western Avenue. Witnesses reported hearing explosions, leading investigators to surmise that natural gas was involved, LAFD Brian Humphrey said. It is unclear whether the explosions occurred before or during the fire.

“It becomes a chicken and egg thing,” Humphrey said. “We don’t know if it was a cause or something else.”

Humphrey said no injuries were reported, which was surprising given the extensive damage to the two residences. The houses were gutted by flames and rendered uninhabitable. Two additional adjacent homes also sustained damage, one moderate, one minor.

Humphrey added that firefighters rescued a dog at one of the residences. The dog, named Brownie, was penned in a yard until the fire was extinguished. The dog was not injured but was taken to a veterinarian afterward for an examination.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately 50 minutes. The Red Cross helped find temporary shelter for the displaced residents. Humphrey said it is unclear when the investigation will conclude.