Industrial Plant Blaze Does $1.5-Million Damage

Fire seen over a large area of central Los Angeles caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage Tuesday afternoon to a firm specializing in industrial equipment repair and laundry machine manufacturing, authorities said.

More than 100 firefighters were ordered out of the Steam Sales and Service Co. building at 2525 Long Beach Ave. for a time because of superheating. However, no injuries were reported and all employees were out by the time fire crews arrived, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.

Cause of the blaze, southeast of the downtown area, was under investigation. Firefighters said an undetermined quantity of lacquer was in the building.