Over 170 firefighters tackle meat factory inferno

The fire was reported in the kitchen area of the meat processing plant owned by ProPortion Foods and it needed more than 170 firefighters to battle the blaze over a three-hour period this week.

No injuries to firefighters or company employees present at the time of the fire have been reported.

While a cause of the fire has not been identified, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said it started in the kitchen area of the plant, located on Compton Avenue, South Los Angeles.

Important documents saved​

The factory is 70,821sq ft, the plant was built in 1987 and is designed in a semi-circle shape with the loading bay at its centre.

As the fire raced through the ductwork of the factory and eventually burnt through the roof, firefighters were forced to tackle the blaze from the outside of the building.

The LAFD said firefighters were able to limit the damage to only half of the building. This saved not only the actual structure, but also perhaps more importantly, business papers, documentation and computers.
 
“Only the relentless efforts of all those on scene made this possible,​” said the LAFD in a statement.

The LAFD’s arson unit is carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire and the cost of the damage is currently being assessed.

ProPortion Foods could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.