Los Angeles Fire Department crews were battling a large South Gate fire on Sunday afternoon after flames broke out at a commercial building in the 11800 block of Industrial Avenue. The blaze was reported just after 2:10 p.m. and had grown intense enough for firefighters to declare a Second Alarm as thick black smoke climbed over the property.
Aerial footage showed a massive plume rising above the site while large flames ripped through what appeared to be salvaged automotive parts. Firefighters used extended ladders to pour water from above as the fire moved through the 75-foot by 75-foot commercial building, which appeared to be SSSJJ Auto Service.
The property was closely surrounded by other businesses and dozens of homes, raising the stakes for crews trying to keep the fire from spreading. It was unclear whether any nearby structures had been damaged, and officials had not said whether anyone was hurt.
The fire had not been contained as of 3:18 p.m. PDT, and the cause remained under investigation. For residents and business owners near Industrial Avenue, the immediate question was not what started the south gate fire, but how far it had already reached by the time crews finally got a handle on it.
