L.A. County firefighters battled a metal-shaving fire in Carson on July 21, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)
Firefighters Knock Down Titanium Fire at Carson Commercial Structure
The call came about 10:15 a.m. regarding the blaze at 200 E. Gardena Blvd., according to Randall Wright with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The response went to a second alarm around 10:45 a.m., Wright said on Twitter, and the fire was knocked down at 12:24 p.m.
The very hot fire and flames caused a warehouse roof to collapse.
Firefighters worked with the Sheriff’s Department to evacuate adjoining businesses in the block near the incident. Repeated explosions were heard on scene.
Though authorities were initially unsure what type of metal was burning, a captain on scene confirmed that the element ignited was titanium.
“Titanium you cannot extinguish with water,” fire Capt. Brian Jordan said. “Titanium actually burns really hot — it takes the water, and the fire gets bigger. It’s not a fire you extinguish quickly.”
No injuries were reported.
Fire investigators were working to determine what caused the blaze.