PACOIMA : Chemical Fumes Force Evacuation
Burning chemicals produced a cloud of fumes Thursday that affected four people and forced the evacuation of a commercial building in Pacoima, the Los Angeles City Fire Department said.
Hot metal from a welding project at James Motor Sports at 10472 Ilex Ave., ignited a cardboard box filled with a white powder at 2:54 p.m., said Firefighter Paul Gutierrez. A hazardous materials team later identified the powder as benzoyl peroxide, a highly flammable chemical.
One person was treated and three others were examined at the scene for chest pains and breathing problems after inhaling the fumes, Gutierrez said. The fumes also forced the evacuation of six people from the commercial building, which houses four businesses.
The plastic-lined box was believed to contain 50 to 75 pounds of benzoyl peroxide, which burned itself out, Gutierrez said. Officials from James Motor Sports told authorities that the box was in the office when they moved in.
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