SUN VALLEY - Over 150 LAFD firefighters fought a "Major Emergency" fire at a Sun Valley auto salvage yard on April 17th, 2016. The fire ripped through approximately 1 1/2 acres, of the five block long yard, filled with rows of tightly packed vehicles.

Just before 4:00 PM, Los Angeles firefighters responded to 9128 Tujunga Avenue, where they found a large "Pick Your Part" lot with over 15 vehicles well involved in flames. The fire, fanned by 5- to 10-mph winds, rapidly spread through the recycling yard and sent a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles.

Waves of firefighters were systematically requested and strategically deployed to surround the inferno. Firefighters fought the fire in a “defensive mode,” pouring water on the blaze from the exterior of the auto yard. Firefighters worked closely with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to ensure sufficient water pressure.

Over 150 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Gregory Reynar, extinguished the flames in two hours and 16 minutes. However, firefighters remained on-scene through the night to ensure no significant flare-ups. Specialized LAFD Hazardous-Materials firefighters took water runoff and air samples to ensure the safety of all. Due to firefighters extensive efforts, no structures were threatened and no one was injured.

The fire cause is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: AR10 BC10 BC12 BC14 BC5 CM42 E100 E21 E226 E233 E24 E260 E266 E27 E274 E278 E289 E29 E298 E5 E60 E7 E77 E81 E86 E87 E89 E91 E93 E94 E98 EA1 EM11 FT100 H6 HR56 HU59 HU84 PH1 RA89 RT83 SQ21 T26 T33 T60 T66 T74 T78 T89 T98

(Copyright Photos by Rick McClure)

WILMINGTON - An hour-long blaze in an automotive recycling yard torched more than a hundred vehicles Wednesday afternoon.

Los Angeles Firefighters were summoned at 4:48 PM on September 18, 2013 to multiple reports of vehicles burning at Apple Auto Dismantling, 2701 East Anaheim Street in Wilmington. Noting a large, black plume of smoke, the first due fire crews immediately requested additional personnel to respond.

Entering the large salvage yard, Fire Department crews found 15 to 20 cars already engulfed. The intense fire soon spread in the 150' by 200' area of tightly packed autos, requiring copious amounts of water and firefighting foam to douse the flames.

Nearly 70 firefighters under the command of LAFD Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas were able to fully extinguish the blaze in just one hour. There were no injuries.

The fire was confined to the yard, damaging 105 autos. Fire loss was estimated at $450,000. The cause of the blaze is listed as under investigation.

Dispatched Units: E38 E49 E85 T85 E285 BC6 RA38 E36 E112 E248 T48 E264 T64 DC1 EM13 BC13 FT17 E17 T15 E215 E10 BC4 E11