Beverly Hills Apartment Fire Prompts Evacuations, School Shelter Order

A fire engulfed most of a two-story apartment complex on South Rexford Drive Wednesday morning, forcing firefighters to retreat as the roof began collapsing and prompting evacuations of neighboring buildings, according to a statement from the City of Beverly Hills.

The Beverly Hills Fire Department responded at approximately 10:30 a.m. to the building in the 200 block of South Rexford Drive. Most of the structure was already engulfed when crews arrived, the city said.

Firefighters work on the roof of an apartment complex in the 200 block of South Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills as flames and heavy smoke rise behind them.

Firefighters work on the roof of an apartment complex in the 200 block of South Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills as flames and heavy smoke rise behind them.

Firefighters initially attacked the blaze but withdrew when the roof began collapsing. Crews were using ladder trucks to continue battling the fire, with Los Angeles County Fire assisting at the scene.

No injuries had been reported at the time of the city's statement.

Students at nearby Beverly Vista Middle School were placed under a shelter-in-place order as a precaution. The city said neighboring buildings adjacent to the fire had also been evacuated.

Rexford Drive between Charleville Boulevard and Gregory Way was closed as crews worked at the scene.