40 Flee PCB Fumes From Fire at Power Station in Burbank

Fumes from the toxic chemical PCB closed a five-square-block area and forced nearly 40 people to evacuate the area on Tuesday when a fire struck a Burbank power station, authorities said.

The fire, which began about 1 p.m., also caused authorities to close the Ventura Freeway exit ramps at Olive Avenue and move their command post twice to avoid the fumes, police said.

Fifteen firefighters, some wearing full protective clothing and breathing apparatus, sprayed the fire with chemicals and foam for about an hour, said Burbank Fire Marshal M. W. Johnson.

About 15 city employees working at the power station, located at Hollywood Way and Alameda Avenue, and about 25 nearby residents left the area voluntarily after police gave them warning, Burbank police Sgt. Don Brown said.

Because firefighters contained the fire to one of the station’s three transformer banks, the fumes were not severe enough to warrant an evacuation, Johnson said.

“This could have been a very serious matter, but it was knocked down in time,” Brown said.

Helium balloons brushing against a power line caused a short circuit and a power surge that started the fire, said Dev Birla, supervising electrical engineer at the station. He said a blackout, which lasted from one to two hours, covered at least 25 square blocks and affected several hundred customers in southwest Burbank.

Birla and Brown said they do not know where the balloons came from.

Damage to the power station was estimated at $50,000, Johnson said.