A fire erupted in a Downtown Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) yard early this morning, igniting several transformers and prompting a defensive stance by firefighters to protect a nearby apartment building. According to a Los Angeles Fire Department alert, the blaze began at 560 S San Julian Street around 12:23 AM, within an open yard measuring approximately 200 feet by 200 feet.
Initially, firefighters abstained from using water on the fire to avoid complications with the high-voltage electrical equipment, focusing their efforts on safeguarding the adjacent building and its inhabitants. Despite the ferocity of the fire, LAFD confirmed, "There are no injuries reported."
A subsequent update from the LAFD at 1:05 AM revealed that firefighters had gained access to the interior of the yard and located one transformer actively burning. A technique allowing the transformer to "burn off" was employed while firefighters established a safe perimeter, closing windows of the exposed building to prevent smoke infiltration and clearing pedestrians from the area for safety.
As the night progressed, the intensity of the fire subsided with most flames extinguished, and firefighters remained on the scene to guard against any smoke potentially affecting surrounding structures. By 2:07 AM, a final update from the LAFD indicated that the fire had been isolated to one, possibly two, transformers. While awaiting the arrival of DWP personnel, no further updates were expected, and "The fire will continue to safely burn itself out," as firefighters stood by.
