Dock Fire Prompts Warning to Stay Indoors

Firefighters today continued their efforts to douse a stubborn fire in a wharf at the Port of Los Angeles, and authorities urged residents in the area to remain indoors because of the smoke.

No injuries were reported from the blaze, which broke out at 6:41 p.m. Monday at berths 177 and 179 at 802 S. Fries Ave., where cargo ships are loaded and unloaded, Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The fire burned about 150 feet of a pier and forced the evacuation of 850 workers.

Main said that while the blaze had been largely contained within about two hours, it continued to smolder among the pier timbers, which were coated with water-resistant, highly flammable creosote.

At a 6 a.m. briefing today, LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said the fire was caused by a torch that was being used in a welding operation, and he estimated that it could take another 8-12 hours to extinguish the flames.

“This is a very, very difficult fire to fight,” Terrazas said. “The fire is deep-seated, and will continue to burn for some time.”

Terrazas said the LAFD’s five fireboats were deployed, along with two fireboats from the Long Beach Fire Department. Helicopter crews and divers also helped battle the flames.

The operations of the port were continuing, including a cruise ship that was allowed to enter the Port of Los Angeles this morning. Officials said they did not believe that the fire would affect the operations of the Port of Long Beach.

Ships were being routed away from the immediate area of the fire, a port official said.

Because of smoke from the fire, residents within the following area were advised to keep their windows closed, their air conditioning off, and to avoid going outdoors: Anaheim Street on the north; New Dock Street on the south; Wilmington Avenue on the west, and Henry Ford Bridge on the east. Crews were monitoring air quality.

Wilmington’s De La Torre Elementary School -- which was said in some media reports to be closed today due to the blaze -- will be open, according to the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Authorities urged employees of cargo terminals to contact their employers to determine if they should come to work.

After the fire began, a backhoe was used to dig a trench in the pier as a virtual fire line to prevent the flames from spreading, Main said.

Boats tied to the dock were moved to safety, Main said, and workers were evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters from the Long Beach Fire Department also were among the 150 firefighters battling the four-alarm blaze.

The fire was in a 40-acre area from where big cargo ships load and unload. Four people were evacuated from the warehouse.

The fire was not directly burning in the warehouse, but rather was threatening the pier underneath the warehouse, Main said.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy the Los Angeles Fire Department.