Fire at Metal Facility Under Review

Toxic explosions at a South El Monte metal yard unleashed a hazardous cloud on January 28, 2026, forcing nearby families to shelter in place and exposing regulatory failures in California’s industrial zones. The massive third-alarm fire, which erupted at a metal recycling facility, drew a major response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and has initiated an investigation into the ongoing risks posed by scrap yards handling volatile materials near populated communities.

Story Highlights

  • Massive third-alarm fire with powerful explosions erupted at a metal recycling yard on January 28, 2026, in South El Monte.
  • Shelter-in-place order issued due to toxic smoke plume threatening nearby residents in this populated suburb.
  • Los Angeles County Fire Department battled the blaze into the evening; no injuries reported, cause under investigation.
  • Highlights ongoing risks from scrap yards handling volatile materials like lithium batteries and compressed gases near communities.

Incident Details

On January 28, 2026, a commercial warehouse at the 2200 block of North Tyler Avenue in South El Monte ignited into a massive inferno. Powerful explosions ripped through the metal recycling yard, sending sparks flying as firefighters arrived. The Los Angeles County Fire Department escalated to a third-alarm response, deploying multiple crews to combat the flames throughout the afternoon. Witnesses reported ongoing blasts from scrap materials, distinguishing this from ordinary warehouse fires.

Public Safety Response

South El Monte city officials issued a shelter-in-place order as a toxic cloud spread from burning metals and chemicals. The plume posed immediate air quality risks to residents in this industrial suburb of 20,000, located near homes, freeways, and other businesses. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze, with no confirmed injuries by 3 p.m. PST. The order protected families from heavy metals and particulates, underscoring the dangers of facilities processing e-waste and vehicles adjacent to neighborhoods.

Background on Scrap Yard Risks

South El Monte hosts numerous metal recycling operations due to its proximity to ports and manufacturing. These yards shred and bale ferrous and non-ferrous metals, vehicles, and waste, creating fire hazards from cutting torches, electrical faults, or reactions in stored materials. Industry data shows over 5,000 U.S. recycling fires annually pre-2026, often involving propane tanks or lithium batteries. No prior incidents at this site were reported, but similar SoCal events highlight persistent vulnerabilities.

Facility operators at the unnamed yard now face investigation into the fire’s cause, with interests in liability and resuming operations. General risks include ignition sources common in daily processing, amplifying dangers in residential-adjacent areas.

Stakeholders and Ongoing Efforts

The Los Angeles County Fire Department led suppression, holding operational authority over containment. South El Monte public safety agencies managed alerts and the shelter-in-place, prioritizing resident health. Potential involvement from CAL FIRE or EPA looms for toxic plume assessment. Crews continued battling the fire into the evening of January 28, with early January 29 reports confirming the major blaze at the metal processing plant.

Impacts and Implications

Short-term effects include road closures, business disruptions, and health monitoring for exposed residents and workers. Long-term, the incident may trigger site remediation and stricter LA County regulations on scrap yards. Economic costs could reach millions from cleanup and downtime for this third-alarm event. The fire spotlights recycling sector weaknesses, potentially spurring NFPA-compliant storage upgrades in SoCal to safeguard communities from industrial overreach.

Watch the report: Warehouse explodes near South El Monte | FOX 11 Los Angeles

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