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Late this afternoon, approximately ten firetrucks and dozens of firefighters responded to a large fire that ignited just south of 8th and Hill inside the historic Hamburger Department Store, also known as the Broadway Trade Center at 830 S. Hill Street.

Vehicular traffic had been closed on surrounding blocks, and sidewalks were closed to pedestrians as the LAFD squad was forced to break windows and access the interior from aerial ladders.

According to police officers on site, the fire originated on the 9th floor but spread to two additional floors over thirty minutes.

As of 4:30pm, firefighters had extinguished the blaze. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. The historic exterior of 13-story structure appears to have received no significant damage.