Flames break out in structure again

Newport Beach firefighters extinguished a small structure fire Sunday afternoon in a business complex near John Wayne Airport, authorities said.

Nearly three months ago, the same seven-business structure at 4100 Birch St. was almost destroyed by flames.

Luckily, all the units were vacant due to the previous fire, and firefighters extinguished Sunday’s flames within 15 minutes. No one was injured, said Jennifer Schulz, the fire department’s spokeswoman.

The crews first saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the front units of the building, authorities said. Due to the appearance of heavy damage from the previous fire, firefighters called for a second alarm. It quickly downgraded when fire authorities assessed that the second fire was not intentionally set, Battalion Chief Ralph Restadius said.

The fire appeared to originate in the same unit that was undergoing asbestos abatement before repairs began from the last fire, Restadius said.

— Kelly Strodl