Hundreds still evacuated after magnesium-fueled Maywood fire
Hundreds of people remain evacuated from their homes Wednesday after a massive magnesium-fueled fire burned two commercial buildings in Maywood. (KABC)
By John Gregory
Updated 1 hr 48 mins ago
MAYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Hundreds of people remain evacuated from their homes Wednesday after a massive magnesium-fueled fire burned two commercial buildings in Maywood.
The fire continues to burn after erupting in a metal recycling yard in the 3500 block of Fruitland Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Three explosions were heard in the vicinity after water mixed with the burning magnesium, fire officials said.
The explosive fire left nearly 4,000 people without power that morning and about 200 residents were evacuated from nearby homes.
Authorities said they were letting the fire burn itself out, so it's unclear when the residents could be allowed back into their homes. The Red Cross has provided them with shelter until then.
The blaze was controlled by noon, but the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a poor air quality alert for Central L.A., South Central L.A. and Southeast L.A. County along with surrounding areas.