CARSON, Calif. – Four firefighters were injured after a massive blaze tore through a pallet yard in Carson on Sept. 30.
LA County firefighters responded to the 16300 block of Avalon Blvd just after 2:10 p.m., where they found a large pallet fire behind a multi-story commercial warehouse. The fire quickly spread throughout the yard, setting fire to boxes of alcohol wipes, an LA County Fire official stated.
Dozens of explosions were heard as propane tanks, which evacuated workers stated were from parked forklifts, exploded. Nearby brush caught fire, threatening a neighboring commercial building and prompting a nearby trailer park to evacuate.
Flaming pieces of cardboard were seen flying into the air and landing on nearby cars, buildings and trees, which business owners and workers scrambled to put out with garden hoses and buckets.
Firefighters gained control of the flames after around two hours, although large pockets of fire were still visible. A portion of the commercial building was burned, but fortunately people at the burning building were quick enough to close the metal loading bay doors when the fire was first reported, saving the building from further damage or destruction.
The fire had damaged multiple buildings and burned the area of a city block, but was prevented from spreading into the nearby commercial building and trailer park. Firefighters stayed at the scene until the day after, watching for potential hotspots.
Four firefighters were injured; three during the first day, and a fourth on the second day, an LA County Fire official stated. Three suffered only minor injuries, while a fourth was hospitalized in unknown condition. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.