Fire Erupts at Oil Derrick Near Residential Neighborhood
Fire erupted Thursday at a camouflaged oil-drilling rig in the mid-Wilshire area when crude oil and natural gas came in contact with a hot muffler. Fire officials said the blaze was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries.
A hazardous materials team determined that the fire did not release dangerous fumes, said Jim Hill, Los Angeles city assistant fire chief.
Located on the edge of a neighborhood of homes, the oil derrick and well are hidden in a building disguised as an eight-story office tower. The facility, owned by Stocker Resources Inc., produces 2,000 barrels of oil daily, said Larry Morton, company president.
A neighbor, Judy Riha, complained that she had not been told what to do in case of a fire or other hazard at the plant.
Two years ago, residents complained to Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden about transients loitering under trees on the facility’s lawn.
Holden said Thursday that the city trimmed the trees and police moved the transients off the private property. He said he plans to ask fire officials for a report on the incident.
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