Blaze that threatened warehouse, ship at Port of Los Angeles contained
The Los Angeles Fire Department said the bulk of a blaze that engulfed about 150 feet of wharf and threatened a warehouse at the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington was contained Monday night.
The majority of the fire was under control about 8:30 p.m. and contained about two hours later, said Katherine Main, spokeswoman with the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters continued to fight the remainder of the “challenging fire.”
The four-alarm inferno beneath a steel warehouse had threatened nearby cargo ships, Main said.
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze from land, air and via several vessels. Divers with hoses were also deployed.
The warehouse did not appear to catch fire, Main said, but the dock beneath it was burned. Four employees were evacuated and large cargo ships were asked to move away from nearby berths, she added.
There were no evacuation orders for Wilmington. About 850 terminal employees were evacuated as a precaution, Main said.
Firefighters at the scene were wearing breathing masks due to concerns that the burning dock material could be hazardous, Main said. There were no injuries.
The flames broke out about 6:40 p.m. in the 800 block of South Fries Avenue.
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