Three firefighters were hurt, including one who was hospitalized, while working to put out a massive blaze burning outside a warehouse in Carson Thursday.
The flames ultimately burned an area the size of a city block after being reported around 2:10 p.m. in the 16300 block of Avalon Boulevard, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
The fire was spreading among rubbing alcohol wipes stored in crates and pallets, said Sean Ferguson, an L.A. County fire inspector.
Surrounded businesses and some residents in a nearby mobile home community were evacuated due to the size of the blaze, L.A. County sheriff’s officials said.
Sky5 arrived above the scene around 3 p.m. as the entire yard was engulfed in tall, bright-orange flames burning fiercely and reducing large stacks to piles of charred rubbish.
The situation presented a challenge because the crates and pallets were piled high, Ferguson said.
“It’s dangerous and it’s difficult to get in there because it has a significant fall hazard, especially once it’s under fire,” he said.
Some 200 firefighters were on scene battling the greater-alarm fire as of 4:45 p.m., including some L.A. city firefighters, officials said. Several had been seen on roofs surrounding the fire, working to douse the flames with hoses.
All three firefighters hurt suffered minor injuries, and two returned to the firefight after being treated on scene, Ferguson said. Officials did not provide more details on how they were hurt.
The yard was well involved in flames for two hours, but after 4:15 p.m. it appeared the fire had consumed most of the fuel and was beginning to fizzle out, though large patches of flames remained. The pile of pallets was still smoldering when Sky5 left the scene around 4:30 p.m.
Shortly before 5 p.m., L.A. County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the area, said in a tweet that the fire was under control but residents were urged to stay indoors due to heavy smoke in the area.
Sheriff’s officials said residents near the warehouse lost electricity and gas services, but they would be restored Friday morning.
The Red Cross set up a shelter at Veterans Park, at 22400 Moneta Ave. in Carson, to provide any services needed.
Fire crews planned to remain on scene overnight to mop up embers and monitor for flare-ups.
The fire’s cause was under investigation.