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A fire classified as a "major emergency" broke out Saturday morning at a recycling center in Harbor Gateway. KTLA reports 160 firefighters were on the scene to fight the blaze near the 20800 block of South Denker Avenue, which is about two miles southwest of the 405 and 110 freeway interchange. The fire sent up huge plumes of smoke, which could be seen from spots in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Here's a view of the fire as seen from the pier in Seal Beach:
@CBSLA @KNX1070 View from Seal Beach pier. pic.twitter.com/P5wg4vLXgB
— jrauzon (@jrauzon) December 12, 2015
And from LAX:
Large plume of black smoke from recycling yard fire in Harbor Gateway area, as seen from LAX. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/QCPllE8rTX
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) December 12, 2015
L.A. Fire Dept. spokeswoman Margaret Stewart told CBS L.A. that while it was not clear at the time what was fueling the enormous flames, but that smoke's color suggested that synthetic materials were burning. The structure next to the recycling yard was also threatened by the flames, officials said.
The LAFD said in a statement that the fire was contained at about 1:50 p.m., but it wasn't an "official knockdown," which means the LAFD will remain on scene ensuring the fire is completely extinguished. Dozens of firefighters must deal with disposing of the smoldering piles of materials left in the blaze's wake.
@LAFDChief Terrazas walks through puddles at a fire in the Harbor Gateway area earlier today. @LAFDtalk pic.twitter.com/zFIsv3BIqi
— Greg Doyle (@GregDoyle50) December 12, 2015
According to a county fire dispatcher, firefighters were sent from all over: the LAFD was joined by battalions from Torrance, five engine companies from L.A. County, along with two additional trucks and two battalion chiefs. CBS reports a tractor was also sent to help plow through the debris.
LAFD and Torrance Fire major attack on recycling yard fire @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/EwbaYwiAsi
— Ron Kilgore (@sailronkil) December 12, 2015
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
