A massive fire broke out in the heart of downtown Los Angeles early Monday morning. Fire crews rushed to the gigantic blaze at the construction site of the 1.3 million-square-foot, seven-story Di Vinci Complex at 1:10 am.

A spokesman for the fire department is calling the blaze “historic,” and a “career fire,” because of it unusually large size. The fire caused the close-down of the 101 and 110 freeways. The 101 would eventually re-open, but the northbound lanes of the 110 remain closed because of debris dangers from the possible collapse of some of the structure onto the freeway.

The blaze caused extensive damage to three floors of a 16-story building adjacent to the construction site as well as radient heat damage to another. The fire was brought under control in about an hour and a half by 250 firefighters, but crews continue to deal with hotspots.

The 526 unit Di Vinci Complex at the 900 block of Fremont Avenue was to be the newest of the Renaissance apartments that include the Orsini, Medici and others.

Fire Marshals are on scene interviewing witnesses and looking at security camera footage in an attempt to ascertain the cause of the massive fire. It is unknown at this time if the fire was accidental in nature of if arson is to blame.

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