No injuries in LA auto shop fire

Dec. 24, 2009 | KPCC Wire Services

A non-injury fire ripped through an auto shop just west of Vernon this morning before it was knocked down by more than 90 firefighters, authorities said.

The fire at 4525 Staunton Ave. was reported at 2:05 a.m. and extinguished in 19 minutes said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

CA/Local News

Heavy smoke was rising from the stricken single-story 100-foot by 25-foot commercial building when firefighters arrived, Humphrey said.

Firefighters used circular saws that threw sparks as they cut through metal roll-up doors to get into the burning building, a video news crew at the scene reported. An explosion followed that sent flames through the roof when the blaze expanded with the influx of oxygen, RMG News reported.

A total of 91 firefighters responded, Humphrey said. They declared knockdown on the fire at 2:24 a.m., said LAFD Capt. Tom Sammartano.

A young man who works at the auto shop was sleeping inside but escaped unharmed, RMG News reported. At least one vehicle and other machinery inside the shop were damaged or destroyed.

No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported, Sammartano said.

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