WHITTIER >> A fire destroyed a carport and singed two apartments in Whittier Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The fire broke out about 3:25 p.m. in the 8200 block of Painter Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Art Ellis said.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 20 minutes, he said. No one was hurt.
Ellis estimated the fire caused about $40,000 worth of damage. The carport, where the fire originated, was destroyed. But fortunately, the chief said, it contained no vehicles.
Two adjacent apartments sustained minor damage as well.
Firefighters noted some circumstances which they deemed suspicious, Ellis said. One resident reported hearing popping sounds just before the fire ignited.
An arson investigator was summoned to the scene to look into the cause of the blaze.

PHOTO by Keith Durlinger