Blaze Rages Through Pair of Shops in Beverly Hills, Injuring 2 Firefighters

A stubborn fire raged through a building containing a picture-framing store and a beauty salon in Beverly Hills on Monday, forcing occupants to flee and injuring two firefighters.

The fire, which started in a common attic of the building at Santa Monica Boulevard and Canon Drive shortly before noon, was still smoldering four hours later, despite the efforts of scores of firefighters from Beverly Hills and the city of Los Angeles.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately determined. The two injured men, who were not identified, were both from the Beverly Hills Fire Department. One suffered second-degree burns to his hands and the other was stricken with heat exhaustion. Both were treated by medical personnel and released.

Battalion Chief Edward LaFouge of Beverly Hills said the fire spread quickly because of the common attic. Dexter Cannon, 46, an employee at the framing shop, which is part of The Frame Store chain, said he was packaging pictures for a client when he smelled smoke.

“I thought I needed to clean my glasses, because it was getting very foggy,� he said. “Then I saw smoke sweeping down into the room from the ceiling panels.� “