The old 360 building at Sunset + Vine is on fire. (I work in the building across the street.)
It's a toxic smell and I think they are evacuating us pre-emptively since it looks like they're closing down Sunset.
Update: We weren't evacuated but because the fumes were being pumped through the infamous air-conditioner and many people were complaining about burning eyes, noses and throats, they had to cut the A/C. Our group got the OK to leave early. By the time I left the building, the fire was out. Kudos for LAFD for being so quick to respond. My co-workers who sit in the corner offices closest to the fire said that they as soon as they saw smoke and pondered calling 911, they already saw a chopper above and saw a fire engine responding.)
Pictures forthcoming below taken by me from inside my building. ::David Kurtz's pictures from the roof here:: ::Story and photos from NBC4:: ::Official LAFD blog post::
(more in the extended entry)
@ 4:01:18 pm: Moved to another location on the same floor, but inside a co-worker's office. I did not have a good view of the firefighters but I could see them entering the building, as well as other fire engines approaching on the street. I counted 9 fire trucks and various paramedic vehicles. Luckily, no one was injured.

@ 4:02:22 pm: The wind starts to pick up and blow the black smoke right at our building.

@ 4:04:18 pm

@ 4:36:58 pm: Taken from my car. Sunset is closed off at Argyle. Newsvans have converged (you can see the CBS2 newsvan in the very left of the image).

glad no one was injured.
Posted by: zee at May 31, 2005 08:25 PMYikes!! Glad no one was hurt!
Posted by: Lisa at May 31, 2005 09:25 PMooh, you know, photos of burning buildings will always have a haunting effect on me.
but then, I also see brad and angelina on the building. ironically, there's smoke brewing between them.
glad to hear you're okay!
Posted by: joe at May 31, 2005 09:49 PMI heard Mr. & Mrs. Smith was going to be a hot movie, but this is ridiculous!
Bad PR people, bad...
Posted by: sharky the kid at June 1, 2005 12:05 AMI'm happy to hear you are okay. You people are dangerous around matches.
Posted by: Michael at June 1, 2005 08:32 AMwow--glad no one was hurt!
Posted by: Ginny at June 1, 2005 08:57 AMI bet this was all an elaborate stunt to promote Mr and Mrs Smith. Silly hollywoodians.
Posted by: orbicon at June 1, 2005 08:58 AMWow, thats kinda cool, the picture on the building... smoke isn't so cool tho. :/
Posted by: Rachel in AZ (formally of Alaska) at June 2, 2005 12:34 PM
What a dramatic day! Hope nobody was hurt across the street
Posted by: fashmagslag at May 31, 2005 08:05 PM