Sun Valley Blaze Emits Gas, Sends 6 to Hospital
A pre-dawn blaze Friday gutted a Sun Valley factory that makes paper and plastic holiday decorations. Six firefighters suffered skin irritation from gases emitted by burning rolls of plastic, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.
Fire Department spokesman Larry Ford said a routine investigation is being conducted into the cause of the two-hour fire at Decoration Products Inc. in the 7100 block of Vineland Avenue.
The fire, which started at 3:58 a.m., was put out at 6:05 a.m. by 13 fire units. Ford said damage was estimated at $465,000.
He said the six firefighters were treated at hospitals for skin irritations and released. Capt. Jim Danaker, a Fire Department hazardous-materials specialist, said the irritations were caused by gas from large quantities of polyvinyl chloride plastic stored in rolls. The smoke contained “a tremendous volume” of hydrogen chloride gas and irritated firefighters’ necks, ears and eyes, Danaker said.
He said none of the firefighters was otherwise hurt, although some had trouble breathing.
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