SOUTHLAND : Fire Damages Melrose Stores

An early-morning fire swept through a prestigious block of antique stores on Melrose Avenue today, causing at least $100,000 in damage to at least five stores, fire officials said.

The blaze, first reported at 5:37 a.m., swept through a common attic and damaged the Impero and Tracey & Co. antique stores, a shop called Benaje International and the Blue Whale Liquor Mart and Deli, according to Los Angeles City Fire Battalion Chief Michael Ambarian.

He said the blaze, centered at the 8400 block of Melrose Avenue, was put out in about 45 minutes. Although damage to antiques could easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ambarian said, quick action by firefighters from at least six companies is credited with having saved many priceless antiques, which were carried out into the street or covered with tarpaulins to escape water and smoke damage.