A significant fire erupted at a car salvage yard in Lancaster, California, on Thursday afternoon, consuming hundreds of vehicles and sending plumes of black smoke across the Antelope Valley. The blaze, reported around 3:30 p.m. at a site located at W Avenue H-8 and N. Sierra Highway, rapidly spread across approximately 10 acres of the 20-acre car recycling facility. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the high desert, the fire quickly escalated, involving an estimated 1,500 vehicles.
According to initial reports from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the likely cause of the fire was a malfunctioning hydraulic car crusher. Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher stated that early investigations pointed towards the machinery as the ignition source. However, a local business owner offered an alternative account, suggesting the fire may have started when a forklift moving vehicles inadvertently sparked the blaze for reasons yet unknown. The exact cause remains under investigation.
The Lancaster Fire Department responded swiftly, deploying around 180 firefighters to combat the inferno. The firefighters faced challenging conditions, battling intense heat and the rapid spread of flames through the densely packed salvage yard. Explosions were heard emanating from the site, likely due to pressurized components in the burning vehicles. By 8 p.m., firefighters appeared to have gained significant control, with flames largely subdued, although smoke continued to billow from the area. The Los Angeles County Fire Department officially declared a knockdown at approximately 9:25 p.m.
Due to concerns about smoke and potential hazards, the Lancaster Sheriff’s station issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in the vicinity, specifically between Division Street and Challenger Way, north of Avenue I. Despite the magnitude of the fire and the extensive property damage, there were no injuries reported. Emergency responders did not issue any evacuation orders, and efforts were focused on containing the fire and ensuring the safety of nearby residents. A forklift was utilized to create firebreaks by moving unburned vehicles away from the active flames, helping to limit further spread within the Car Salvage Yards.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards associated with car salvage yards, particularly in hot and dry conditions. While the immediate danger has passed with the fire contained, investigations into the precise cause are ongoing to prevent similar incidents at car salvage yards in the future.
