2 Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze at Recycling Plant

A fire broke out at a recycling plant in an unincorporated area near South Gate late Sunday afternoon, injuring two firefighters and producing columns of smoke that could be seen over a wide area, fire officials said.

The fire at Bestway Recycling began in a cardboard-filled dumpster shortly after 4 p.m., and was contained by 5:30 p.m., Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Frank Lopez said.

“We’re going to be out there for another eight hours,” said Lopez, more than an hour after the blaze had been contained.

He explained that firefighters would have to use equipment to pull apart cardboard bales, wetting down the individual pieces, to make sure the fire was out.

Two firefighters were injured, with one dislocating a shoulder, and another suffering from possible electric shock after electrical wires at the plant fell, Lopez said. Both were taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

Firefighters from seven engine companies and a hazardous materials team fought the blaze at 2268 E. Firestone Blvd., in an unincorporated county area.

“We used our hazmat team for manpower,” Lopez said, explaining that there was no toxic danger from the blaze.