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30 January 2026
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Massive fire erupts, propane tanks explode in South El Monte, US
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Firefighters were battling a dangerous commercial fire in South El Monte Wednesday afternoon, 28 January 2026, with propane tanks exploding at a property on North Tyler Avenue, according to Los Angeles County fire officials. Crews were dispatched around 14:32 to the 2215 block of North Tyler Avenue, near Klingerman Street, with a second alarm requested just minutes later at 14:40 the response was upgraded to a third alarm as of 15:15, after a second building caught fire. Minutes later a shelter-in-place was ordered for the general area.
Despite the order, some residents, many of whom had their faces covered, gathered across the street from the firefight, even as a series of massive explosions erupted. At least 110 personnel were battling the fire as of mid-afternoon with hazmat units en route.
Fire officials said propane tanks were actively exploding and that the blaze was classified as a “titanium fire,” prompting the response of Urban Search and Rescue teams along with hazardous materials units.
While the fire remained active, around 16:00 crews appeared to be getting an upper hand on the fire, even cutting off water to the flames to assess the situation.
Despite the intense explosions and fire in an area populated with businesses and homes, no injuries have been reported so far, though officials cautioned that the situation was still evolving.
As of 18: fire officials said the fire was under control, though not yet extinguished. The shelter-in-place order remained in effect.
In a 20:00 update, fire officials lifted the shelter-in-place order, saying in an alert that the “immediate hazard has been mitigated.”
The fire was brought under control by Wednesday evening, though crews remained on-site through the following day to monitor hot spots and manage the smouldering wreckage of the two warehouses, which were considered total losses. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.
Sources: Los Angeles County Fire Department, KTLA, Los Angeles Times
Despite the order, some residents, many of whom had their faces covered, gathered across the street from the firefight, even as a series of massive explosions erupted. At least 110 personnel were battling the fire as of mid-afternoon with hazmat units en route.
Fire officials said propane tanks were actively exploding and that the blaze was classified as a “titanium fire,” prompting the response of Urban Search and Rescue teams along with hazardous materials units.
While the fire remained active, around 16:00 crews appeared to be getting an upper hand on the fire, even cutting off water to the flames to assess the situation.
Despite the intense explosions and fire in an area populated with businesses and homes, no injuries have been reported so far, though officials cautioned that the situation was still evolving.
As of 18: fire officials said the fire was under control, though not yet extinguished. The shelter-in-place order remained in effect.
In a 20:00 update, fire officials lifted the shelter-in-place order, saying in an alert that the “immediate hazard has been mitigated.”
The fire was brought under control by Wednesday evening, though crews remained on-site through the following day to monitor hot spots and manage the smouldering wreckage of the two warehouses, which were considered total losses. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.
Sources: Los Angeles County Fire Department, KTLA, Los Angeles Times
