Authorities are investigating the cause of a major fire that burned a large commercial area near Los Angeles
COMPTON, California – A large fire visible in Los Angeles burned piles of pallets in a commercial courtyard and buses parked in a neighboring parking lot on Friday.
Hell broke out in Compton before dawn and created a huge column of smoke that rose in the sky and spread widely across the metropolitan area.
There was no immediate assessment of the total loss, but at least a dozen buses could be seen on fire during the height of the fire.
A firefighter had a minor ankle injury, but there were no other injuries, said Compton Fire Department battalion chief Jim McCombs.
Jimmy Valadez, whose family owns the Matrix Mattress, said the fire destroyed the business.
“There were two warehouses full of stock. All my parents’ inventory is gone. … Half the property is gone, “he told KNBC-TV.
McCombs said the fire may have started in an alley. The cause was under investigation, but it did not appear to be suspicious, he said.
Nearby residents blamed a homeless camp in the alley.
“They are having a barbecue, making fires to keep warm,” Christian Hernandez told KNBC-TV.
Elias Hernandez said the fire burned a homeless person’s belongings before it spread to an electricity pole, and “from there, it started to spread everywhere”. “
He said he tried to put out the flames with a hose.
The fire was reported around 4:45 am, and more than 100 firefighters and 26 fire trucks from various departments responded to the industrial district surrounded by neighborhoods about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of downtown Los Angeles.
Some nearby residents left their homes, but firefighters pouring jets of water prevented the flames from spreading to homes. It took several hours to control the flames.
Fortunately, the fire broke out in a calm period between the Santa Ana gusts that swept across Southern California. A round of winds hit Thursday and another was scheduled to take place over the weekend.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a special warning for the immediate area, urging people who smelled smoke or could see ash to limit exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed.
Although the winds were calm in the morning, they were expected to rise during the day and downwind neighborhoods could experience very damaging air quality.
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Associated Press reporter John Antczak contributed from Los Angeles.