Firefighters knock down oil well fire in Santa Paula

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters attacked and knocked down an oil well fire before it spread in nearby brush in Santa Paula on Sunday.

The petroleum fire was located off of South Mountain Road, near Willard Road, according to Ventura County fire officials.

The oil well equipment was heavily involved and threatened to spread to nearby brush. Oil was burning, sending toxic materials into the air, firefighters said. No structures were in the area of the blaze, officials said.

South Mountain Road was closed west of Balcom Canyon Road for the firefight, California Highway Patrol officials said. It was later reopened.

The fire was first reported around 11 a.m. Firefighters were wrapping up the blaze by 4 p.m.