Wilshire Tower Fire Results in Little Damage

A small electrical fire broke out on the second floor of a 21-story Wilshire Boulevard office tower Tuesday, causing little damage and no injuries, authorities said.

The fire began at 4:40 p.m. in an electrical fixture at 3550 Wilshire Blvd. and was put out at 5:09 p.m. by at least 75 firefighters, city fire spokesman Jim Wells said.

“The fire was confined to some electric lighting and plastic on the second floor,” Wells said. There was no monetary loss and no injuries.

“It was a small fire that put out a lot of smoke,” he said.

The building, which houses law and other offices and the Argentine Consulate, is the eastern half of a pair of twin towers known as Paramount Plaza. The second building houses several state offices, including those of Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp and the California Supreme Court.

Tenants on upper floors said they were told to remain in their offices while firefighters fought the blaze.

Last Oct. 20, fire engulfed a top floor corner of the other tower at 3580 Wilshire Blvd., causing $2 million damage and forcing the temporary relocation of about 350 workers in the offices of the attorney general, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

Court records also were damaged in the October fire, and smoke and water damage spread through 11 floors.