Neighbors described the frightening flames. Ted Chen reports April 1, 2021.
Residents in a Compton neighborhood are searching through what's left of their belongings after a fire that burned for about two hours in a commercial yard spread to homes and garages.
The fire erupted in Compton around 5 p.m. Wednesday and units from multiple agencies responded, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. Whipped by strong winds, embers drifted into the neighborhood and started fires that burned trees, homes and garages.
Residents fled their homes but there were no injuries reported. A thick cloud of black smoke hovered over residences as firefighters on ladder trucks tried to prevent flames from spreading.
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Several garages were damaged or destroyed. Bellla Matamoros’ garage was among those.
“I have so many boxes with clothes, things that I don’t have any space to put inside of my house,” Matamoros said. “It’s all gone.
“I feel bad for my garage. But the important thing, I’m still alive.”
The Los Angeles County Fire Department initially said three homes were destroyed but the Compton Fire Department later said they were detached garages. Nines homes were damaged.
Fire officials said the yard contained a wide array of items including vehicles, cardboard, pallets and paints. The fire burned into the night as firefighters poured streams of water onto the properties.
Twenty-four fire engines responded to the fire, which burned during a day of powerful winds.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
