Suspected Arson at Target Prompts Westfield Culver City Evacuation; Two Juveniles Cited

A fire that began inside the Target at Westfield Culver City prompted a full evacuation of the shopping center and an early closure after firefighters extinguished an active blaze, Culver City police and fire officials said. The blaze was reported in the evening and officials gave times ranging from about 7:30 to 7:45 p.m.; the Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire started at about 7:44 p.m.

Responding officers located flames inside the Target at 6000 Sepulveda Boulevard, finding an active fire burning in the paper goods aisle while other reports said the origin appeared to be in the grocery area of the store. Fire crews from the Culver City Fire Department, assisted by the Los Angeles Fire Department, brought the fire under control and later declared the scene extinguished; authorities reported no injuries after officers conducted interior searches.

Culver City police spokeswoman Jennifer Atenza warned about smoke spread inside the mall, saying, "Target is in the interior of the shopping center and connects, so the smoke that may have traveled from the fire location could have possibly impacted any customers inside the shopping center." Authorities evacuated the entire Westfield Culver City complex as a precaution and advised the public to avoid the area while cleanup and inspections were underway; the mall typically closes at 9 p.m., and officials said it closed early that night.

Local reporting attributed an operational assistance figure to the Los Angeles Fire Department: "Los Angeles Fire Department sent 23 firefighters to assist Culver City Fire Department crews," a spokesperson said. Culver City police said the fire did not spread beyond the Target footprint and that crews quickly put out the blaze; one local outlet reported there was no apparent structural damage to the building.

Investigators opened the incident as an arson probe and used surveillance video and the department’s automated license plate reader system to develop leads. Officers patrolling the mall area were alerted to a vehicle linked to the case on Feb. 24, located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop that led to the identification of two juvenile suspects. NBC Los Angeles summarized police action: the two juveniles "were transported to the Culver City Police Department, cited on suspicion of arson of an inhabited structure or property, and released to a parent or guardian."

Culver City police estimated roughly $1.5 million in damage to the Target, according to local reporting. Detectives and forensic personnel took over evidence collection following the traffic stop, and arson investigators said they would review security footage from inside the store and mall as the probe continues. Target did not provide an on-the-record corporate statement in the initial reports, and officials warned that store hours could be affected the following day as damage assessments and cleanup continued.