Fire guts Azusa donut shop

AZUSA -- Firefighters extinguished a blaze that gutted a donut shop early Friday.

The fire was reported about 6:45 a.m. at Christy's Donuts, on Alosta Avenue near 5th Street, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Enriquez said.

Upon responding to reports of a fire, "we found the donut shop well involved in fire," Enriquez said.

Two employees had gotten out of the building, he said.

About 35 firefighters doused the flames within 15 minutes, the battalion chief said. No injuries were reported.

Enriquez said the cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended candle left at a religious shrine. The fire caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the donut shop and it's contents.

Though the candle involved in the donut shop fire was not being used for lighting, due to the ongoing power outages related to recent high winds, Enriquez reminded residents that candles are not recommended for a light source during power outages. Flashlights are a safer option.