Shelter-in-place orders issued to Lancaster neighborhood after massive scrap yard fire

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued a shelter-in-place order for a Lancaster neighborhood after a nearby scrap yard caught fire Thursday afternoon. 

It started at about 3:10 p.m. at the intersection of West Avenue H-8 and North Sierra Highway, outside the scrap yard and close to a set of train tracks. It scorched about 10 acres of the 20-acre property. 

The order will affect residents between Division Street and Challenger Way, north of Avenue I.

"Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our residents," said Mayor R. Rex Parris. "We are doing everything in our power, in collaboration with fire services and local law enforcement, to control this situation and protect our community. Please follow the safety guidelines and stay tuned for further updates."    

As firefighters tried to extinguish the blaze, a large plume of black smoke billowed from the property's western edge. The Los Angeles County Fire Department believed about 1,500 vehicles were consumed in the inferno. 

Firefighters are concerned that the winds and heat would exacerbate the blaze. It was about 103 degrees in Lancaster during the fire.

The massive amount of black smoke covered the nearby businesses, one of which had several stacks of wooden pallets stored on the lot. 

While the residential neighbors were told to stay in their homes, deputies evacuated nearby businesses. 

LA County Fire does not believe anyone was injured. At about 8:45 p.m., firefighters said they made "significant progress" in extinguishing the fire. 

Nearly an hour later, LA County Fire declared a knockdown on the blaze.