CMC Escalator Fire Quickly Contained

A small fire broke out May 21 at the California Mart Center, causing security to evacuate some tenants while the Los Angeles Fire Department contained the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but CMC officials said it was mechanical in nature and was “more smoke than fire.”

The fire broke out before 9 a.m. in the Cwing escalator between the first and second floors. CMC security followed standard procedures and evacuated the wing two floors above and two floors below, although the Cwing of the sixth floor is currently under renovation and was unoccupied, as was the exhibition hall.

The incident was quickly resolved, according to a spokesperson, who said a halfhour passed between the time security discovered the fire and when the fire department had it contained. CMC Director of Operations Phil Fox said fire department officials complimented the building’s engineering department and building services on the rapid response.

Repairs will begin on the escalator on June 3. —Alison A. Nieder