Two cars slam into buildings in Venice; incidents separated by less than 15 minutes

Two different cars slammed into two different buildings in Pico Union early Saturday evening and authorities say that the incidents were separated by less than 15 minutes. 
The first crash, which was reported at around 7:40 p.m. at a business in the 1500 block of Venice Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 
Firefighters say that the crash started as a two-car collision, which sent one of the cars veering into the building. One person was hospitalized and two others were evaluated by paramedics at the scene, said Los Angeles Fire Department officials. 
It’s unclear what caused the first crash and crews were working to remove the car from the building, which appeared to be a shipping company called Central De Envios. 
Just about 12 minutes later, crews were sent to the 2400 block of Pico Boulevard after learning of another similar incident, according to firefighters. 
They arrived to find another car had gone into a building, this time what looked to be an auto shop. The crash again began as a two-car collision, which send one of the cars hurtling into the business, firefighters said. The second car caught fire but the flames were quickly extinguished. 
There were no reports of injury in the second crash. 
Crews have not indicated if they believe the two incidents to be connected. 
This is a developing story. Check back for details.