Fumes From Fire Send 6 to Hospital
Six people who complained of respiratory problems after breathing fumes from a titanium residue fire in Cerritos Tuesday were hospitalized for observation, officials said.
Two 55-gallon drums filled with titanium shavings caught fire about 11:20 a.m. at the Titanium Sales Co. offices in the 15000 block of La Pluma Avenue, said Los Angeles County firefighter Dan Brock.
Titanium is a metal that emits lung-irritating hydrogen chloride gas when it burns, said County Fire Inspector John Lenihan. The lightweight, high-strength material is used for aircraft.
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