Fire Engulfs Amazon Warehouse in El Monte, California
Warehouse Deemed a Total Loss
An Amazon warehouse in south El Monte was left in ruins after a fire broke out overnight, engulfing the structure and forcing firefighters into a defensive operation to contain the blaze.
Blaze Erupts in the Early Morning Hours
The fire was reported around 4:30 a.m. Sunday on the 1400 block of Santa Anita Avenue. Witnesses described seeing flames shooting out from the warehouse, with some reporting hearing explosions.
Firefighters Spring into Action
"We had a fully involved fire through the roof and then we went into a defensive operation quickly because that roof collapsed," said LA County Fire Department Capt. Sheila Berkoh.
No Injuries or Other Damage Reported
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no other buildings were impacted by the blaze.
Investigation Underway to Determine Cause
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe that the high-risk materials stored in the warehouse, including lithium-ion batteries and small electronics, may have contributed to the spread of the fire.
Organizers Believe Batteries Caused Explosions
"It’s a warehouse for Amazon return packages so there’s a lot of lithium-ion batteries in there and small electronics," Berkoh explained. "And those lithium-ion batteries are very incredibly volatile, and some people were saying they could hear some small explosions in there and it was probably those batteries."
Conclusion
The fire has left the warehouse a total loss, but fortunately, no one was injured. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the blaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the fire?
A: The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe that the high-risk materials stored in the warehouse, including lithium-ion batteries and small electronics, may have contributed to the spread of the fire.
Q: Were there any injuries or other damage reported?
A: No, there were no reported injuries or damage to other buildings.
Q: Is the warehouse still standing?
A: No, the warehouse has been deemed a total loss.
