170 Residents Routed by Toxic Smoke Fire
About 170 Glassell Park residents were routed from their homes early Sunday when fire in a nearby metal plating firm sent toxic smoke wafting through their neighborhood, fire officials said.
No injuries were reported. The fire broke out at Acme Metal Finishing in the 1200 block of San Fernando Road shortly before 7 a.m. and was extinguished in 12 minutes. But damp, foggy weather kept the smoke lingering close to the ground, prompting the evacuation.
The fire, which was caused by a faulty heater, ignited a pallet holding bags of powdered nickel sulfate, a chemical that produces poisonous or irritating gas when exposed to heat and flames, fire officials said.
Residents, many who fled their homes in nightclothes, were assembled about a block away and checked by paramedics. No one needed medical care and they were allowed back into their homes in less than an hour.
Damage was estimated at $4,000.
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