Two firefighters were injured early Thursday and dozens of residents were evacuated after a massive fire swept through a Monterey Park strip mall, officials said.

The blaze erupted just after 1:30 a.m. at the strip mall in the 300 block of East Garvey Avenue and triggered evacuations in a nearby apartment building, said Monterey Park police Lt. Gus Jimenez.

Forty residents were forced to leave their homes as heavy smoke filled the neighborhood, he said.

Firefighters battled large columns of flames and the roof collapsed as the fire raged for more than three hours. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries according to KNBC-TV.


Multiple businesses were destroyed or damaged by the stubborn fire.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

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