Carlos J. Casillas G.
Last Sunday midnight, two neighbors who were passing by Full Circle Recycle, sighted smoke inside a building, for which they requested the help of a Downey police car that was in the area.
According to Dispatch Department, Downey FD received a call at 12:43, Monday, from DPD by the officer driving in the area and saw a glow from the back of the building.
The Downey Fire Communications Center dispatched a 1st Alarm structure response to the location 12138 Bellflower Blvd., Engine 62 was first to arrive and advised of single story commercial building with smoke showing to the rear.
They had to make forcibly entry in order to gain access to the property, because they had a slight delay due to the locks on the gates.
Once access was made units advised of smoke and Fire from the back of the structure through the roof and at that time it was a working fire. Downey Battalion Chief Dan Rasmussen arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident.
They also confirmed that the inside was clear after conducting a primary search for anyone inside. It was a vacant building.
At 1:12 am a second alarm was requested to respond to the incident. Units that responded were from Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Compton, Montebello and LA County Fire Departments.
Six engines, three ladder trucks, two ambulances, two paramedic units, three Battalion Chiefs and an Air and Light Unit from Compton Fire, assisted by Downey PD who closed down both, Bellflower Blvd and Washburn Rd. So Cal Gas and Edison also were requested.
Total on scene 45 Firefighters and EMS personnel who fought the fire for three hours in an area of approximately 3,000 square foot containing miscellaneous items.
At 03:36 am Bellflower Incident Commander declared knockdown of the fire.
Downey Fire Investigators handling the possible cause of this incident.
