Fire Extinguished at Recycling Company
Ten Los Angeles city firefighters spent an hour extinguishing a small but stubborn fire that erupted Tuesday afternoon at a recycling company and caused $2,500 damage, authorities said.
Firefighters found 6foot-high piles of burning cardboard behind the building after responding to a call from West Valley Fibres at 20350 Plummer St. about 12:30 p.m.
The fire was contained in the rear yard of the property, where recycling materials are collected, sorted and stored.
Firefighters used the firm’s skip-loader to break up the piles of cardboard and uncover smoldering patches. Employees pitched in with hoses and shovels, working alongside firefighters to put the blaze out, said Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphries.
Office employees continued working in the building during the fire and the business reopened to the public at 2 p.m., said Lawrence Dee, manager of West Valley Fibres.
No injuries were reported. Fire officials said the cause of the fire was accidental, started by a cigarette or other smoking material. Dee said he does not believe any of his employees were responsible for the fire.
Fire officials said the department was busier than normal Tuesday with five rubbish fires, five structure fires, 12 car fires and three brush fires reported by midafternoon alone.
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