Over 100 firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Pacoima auto salvage yard on Montague Street Sunday evening. Explosions from combustible metals and concerns about electric vehicles complicated the response. The property was red-tagged after the fire.
Black smoke so thick it prompted officials to warn Whiteman Airport about flight visibility rolled over Pacoima on Sunday evening as a massive fire tore through an auto salvage yard on Montague Street.
Over 100 firefighters responded to the blaze, which began around 5:39 p.m. in the 12400 block of W. Montague Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire was fully extinguished shortly before 7 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Fire crews found dozens of vehicles fully engulfed in flames beneath carports at the salvage yard, the LAFD said in a media release. Multiple explosions occurred during the firefight, caused by combustible metals present in the vehicles.
"The smoke was so thick and dark...dispatch [was requested] to notify Whitman Airport out of concern for visibility and flight path safety," fire officials said.
Firefighters also faced concerns about electric vehicles on the property. Officials cited "toxic off-gassing and dangerous thermal runaway conditions consistent with these types of autos," prompting LAFD HazMat units to monitor air quality and water runoff from the scene.
Access to the yard proved difficult due to multiple fences and protective barriers surrounding the property. Battalion 12 Chief Jason Getchius, who served as incident commander, ordered a defensive firefighting strategy.
"All personnel was directed to begin defensive firefighting operations by erecting ladder pipes to overcome the high fences and begin dousing the flames as quickly as possible, while firefighters began the task of forcible entry," the LAFD said.
Once crews forced entry at multiple points, large diameter hand lines were deployed to apply heavy water volume to the blaze. Aerial footage captured by ABC7 Los Angeles showed crews fighting the flames from extended ladders.
The LA Department of Building and Safety inspected the grounds after the fire was contained. Officials deemed the structure unsafe and red-tagged the building.
The cause of the fire has not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing, according to the LAFD.
This story was reported by KTLA, ABC7 Los Angeles, CBS Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Fire Department.
This article was generated with AI assistance.