On February 19, 2026, both Culver City Police and Fire departments, assisted by Los Angeles City Fire department responded to the Target store at Westfield /Fox Hills mall following reports of a large fire inside the business at approximately 7:30 pm.
Details on the cause of the fire are under investigation, but it appears to have started in the grocery section. As Target is in a central space in the mall and connects through many areas, the smoke spread quickly through the upper floor.
Upon arrival, police officers assisted mall security with the evacuation of the store. As a precaution to prevent smoke exposure, management for the center made the decision to close the mall early.
Officers then assisted with evacuating the remainder of the shopping center. Nearby employees at the Build-A-Bear store smelled smoke, but were unaware of the danger until an officer came to inform them that they needed to evacuate the premises.
The mall closed at approximately 8 pm, close to the usual time. No injuries were reported. At 12:52 am, the CCPD sent out a text on Nixle saying that the activity at the mall had concluded.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Sources at the store offered that arson investigators will be reviewing security video from inside the Target and mall.
Judith Martin-Straw
Additional text Jennifer Atenza/CCPD
