4 Officers on Burglary Call Stopped by Smoke

Four police officers investigating a report of a burglary Wednesday in a vacant building east of Downtown Los Angeles were overcome by smoke from by a small fire inside, authorities said.

The fumes created by the blaze on the second floor of the two-story building at 100 North Mission Road also prompted a response by a hazardous materials team. Both police and fire officials said that only rubbish was burned.

Two transients were found inside the building stripping copper wire, apparently to sell it. Both were booked on suspicion of burglary, but it was not immediately determined whether they had anything to do with the fire, Lt. John Ferguson said.

The four officers began experiencing trouble breathing when they went inside the building. The four, who were not identified, were treated at White Memorial Hospital and released.