Fallbrook

Despite the efforts of more than 50 firefighters, a historic fruit-packing plant in Fallbrook was gutted early Wednesday morning, officials said.

The 73-year-old, 154,000-square-foot Lemon Twist plant, originally known as the Fallbrook Citrus Plant, was destroyed, said North County Fire Protection District dispatcher Greg Holdridge. Citrus fruits were still being packed at the plant.

One firefighter suffered a broken ankle while fighting the blaze, which apparently began about 1:30 a.m. No other injuries were reported, Holdridge said.

Damage to the building, in the 200 block of West College Street, was estimated at $1.5 million, Holdridge said.