Firefighters remain on the scene Thursday after battling a blaze for more than15 hours at a metal recycling yard in South El Monte.
The three-alarm fire — which sent up thick plumes of smoke visible for miles — was reported at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at P&T Metals in the 2200 block of North Tyler Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Citing fire officials, KTLA5 reported that multiple propane tanks exploded at the site and the blaze was classified as a titanium fire, with Urban Search and Rescue teams and hazardous materials units called in.
A shelter in place order implemented after the fire, due to the level of potentially toxic smoke from the fire from the recycling yard that, was lifted just after 10 p.m. Wednesday, the county fire department reported. ” There may be some smoke in the immediate area and LACoFD units will be on scene throughout the night for fire watch.”
According to the company’s website, P&T Metals is an industrial scrap metal recycling company, collecting materials such as aluminum, copper, brass, iron, steel, titanium, exotic and precious metals and high-temperature alloys.
The company has been in business for nearly 60 years, with its South El Monte facility covering four acres.
“I am actively monitoring the commercial structural fire on Tyler Ave in South El Monte. A shelter-in-place order has been issued for the residential area immediately surrounding the fire and my office is actively coordinating with state officials and city officials to address the fire,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda l. Solis said in a statement.
The shelter in place order was lifted, but fire officials remained vigilant and on scene.
No injuries were immediately reported, and the cause of the fire was not clear.