Sun Valley Wind-Driven Brush Fire Spreads to Structure Near I-5 Freeway

Sun Valley, Los Angeles, CA: A wind-driven brush fire near the I-5 Freeway quickly grew to major emergency status as it expanded to a large commercial building Saturday night.

The fire erupted just before 8:00 p.m., Nov. 19, with the Los Angeles Fire Department responding to the location of the blaze on the 11200 block of Penrose Street adjacent to the 5 Freeway in the Sun Valley neighborhood within the San Fernando Valley. LAFD said the address remains tentative.

The incident quickly expanded to major emergency status as flames spread to a nearby commercial building prompting LAFD to request additional resources. The blaze was fought by ground and air, assisted by units from neighboring Burbank and Glendale Fire Departments, according to LAFD.

LAFD reported knockdown at 10:12 p.m. with 165 firefighters on the scene working together in well-coordinated defensive operations to extinguish nearly two acres of burning vegetation and a pair of large adjoining metal-clad one-story businesses abutting the the northbound I-5 Freeway. Both businesses sustained heavy damage. One business was an automotive and salvage facility, and the other was a cabinet firm.

No injuries were reported and LAFD stated personnel will remain on the scene throughout the night to extinguish smoldering debris and assist the active fire cause investigation.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN