Los Angeles officials were trying to investigate a battery suspect when a fire broke out in the building.

Authorities said a 45-year-old man was taken into custody after a fire broke out that destroyed a two-story building in Los Angeles while police were trying to investigate his battery.

The fire broke out on Thursday evening in a building in the Westlake neighborhood, which housed small businesses on the first floor and about eight residences on the second.

A fire truck was already on site to support the police operation when smoke became visible, Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said in a statement.

MORE THAN 100 FIREMERS FIGHTING MAJOR FIRE IN LOS ANGELES APARTMENT COMPLEX, 1 INJURED

Police evacuated the building before the fire, which was put out by more than 100 firefighters in less than an hour, Stewart said.

Police Captain Aaron Ponce said the victim of the alleged beating was the sister of the suspect who broke into her apartment.

According to Ponce, the police discovered that the door was barricaded, and when they opened it, they saw a man armed with a knife.

During the standoff, a man threw burning clothes and trash at police from a balcony, Ponce said.

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As a result, the man was detained and taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. His name is not immediately revealed.

“The possible involvement of this patient in the fire is under investigation and no further information is available at this time,” Stewart said.