Vernon pallet yard fire knocked down; no injuries

VERNON, Calif. (KABC) -- Los Angeles firefighters knocked down a fire that broke out at a pallet yard in Vernon early Friday morning.

The fire ignited shortly after 3 a.m. at Long Beach Avenue and East 48th Place. No structures were involved, just wooden pallets.

It took firefighters just over an hour to knock down the flames, but crews remained on the scene to put out smoldering hot spots.

At one point during the fire fight, crews were concerned that the blaze could spread to a neighboring poultry business. Fortunately, the flames were doused before spreading to that business.

Authorities said pallet fires usually spread very quickly, so they knew what to expect when they arrived on scene.

"This does burn very hot, burns very fast because of the wood. Really, our basic plan is to protect the structures that are surrounding it while not getting anybody injured in the process," said Battalion Chief Ellsworth Fortman with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.