A large blaze in Sun Valley prompted closures on the 5 Freeway on Saturday evening, Nov. 19, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Dubbed the Penrose fire, the “wind-driven” blaze began as a vegetation fire and spread to a nearby one-story commercial complex near the freeway shortly after, according to LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey. The fire reached “major emergency status” by 8:20 p.m, Humphrey added.
Around 9 p.m., an alert from LAFD said crews from Glendale and Burbank were assisting in the firefighting, which was described as a “defensive operation.” LAFD said 165 firefighters were working the blaze from the air and ground.
Large plumes of smoke and flames were visible from above. The fire came amid Santa Ana winds and low-humidity weather conditions that have prompted advisories and fire-weather warnings.
It was not immediately clear what started the fire. No injuries were reported.
The CHP log showed some 5 Freeway lanes were closed because of the fire.
Lanes later reopened.
The fire damaged an automotive repair and salvage facility and a neighboring cabinet firm; and was knocked down at 10:12 p.m., LAFD said.
This active, *wind-driven* vegetation fire that has extended to a commercial building adjacent to the Golden State (I-5) Freeway in #SunValley is officially known as the #PenroseFire https://t.co/gs2Mfr7T7J
— LAFD (@LAFD) November 20, 2022
