A "major emergency" fire that consumed most of a two-story office building Monday at a ConocoPhillips oil refinery was knocked down and did not affect any other refinery facilities, officials said.
The knockdown was declared shortly after 8 a.m., nearly four hours after the fire was reported, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Matt Spence. A total of 166 firefighters battled the blaze, which was limited to an administrative building.
"This free-standing structure was located some distance away from the refinery itself," Spence said. "At no time was the refinery or any petroleum products in jeopardy."
Spence said the second floor and the attic of the structure appeared to be a total loss, but fire crews were able to save the first floor of the building, which is located in San Pedro.
The tiled roof of the building, which authorities estimate may be as much as 100 years old, partly collapsed as the blaze was being fought, complicating the effort.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, and no damage estimates were immediately available.
Oil company officials provided technical expertise on scene, Spence said.
Copyright 2012 - Los Angeles Times
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
