2 Firefighters Hurt, Businesses Evacuated

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and several businesses were evacuated Saturday after a dumpster fire at a Simi Valley business park.

The blaze was reported at 1:37 p.m. in a dumpster at Freedom Designs, a wheelchair manufacturer, at 2241 Madera Road.

County firefighters arrived soon after. There was no cloud visible, but when firefighters got within 100 feet of the outdoor container they began feeling throat and eye discomfort, said Sandi Wells, a Ventura County Fire Department spokeswoman.

Some nearby businesses were evacuated and employees of several others were told to stay inside. In all, 60 people were either evacuated or sheltered inside their businesses.

Two hazardous materials crews were brought in, as was personnel from the county Environmental Health Department. Ventura County sheriff’s deputies also responded, using a helicopter to assess the blaze.

Analysis of the smoke showed the burning substance was acid-based.

“Whatever it was ignited paper inside the dumpster,” Wells said. “There was quite a bit of paper products inside the dumpster.”

Water was not used on the blaze for fear it would make matters worse, Wells said. Instead, the fire was left to burn itself out. It was out by 6 p.m.

Madera Road was closed between Easy Street and Los Angeles Avenue for most of the afternoon and early evening, as were several nearby streets.

Residents of a nearby neighborhood were told to close windows and remain inside their homes, but no residential evacuation was ordered.

Two firefighters were treated for eye and throat irritation.