January 10th, 2025
A large fire erupted late Saturday night, December 14th, 2024, at S. Bravo Systems in Commerce, a fiberglass plant in Los Angeles County. Over 200 rescuers fought the blaze, utilizing defensive strategies to contain the fire, which took over 4 hours to control. The fire broke out at 9:45 p.m., sending toxic yellow smoke into the air. The building is located on the 2900 block of Vail Avenue, and all surrounding streets were blocked off. Firefighters arrived to find powerful flames and heavy smoke pouring through the roof. Rescuers believed the yellow smoke resulted from burning fiberglass or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP); emergency crews deployed a HazMat team as a precaution. After investigating, the Los Angeles County Fire Department subsequently confirmed that there was no toxic risk to others in the area.
Consequently, crews remained at the location until Sunday morning to extinguish any lingering hotspots. The fire’s cause continues to be under investigation. In light of the extensive damage highlighting the intensity of the flames, quick action by emergency responders, fortunately, stopped further spread and risk to the community. Moreover, no injuries were reported, and no staff were inside when the fire began. S. Bravo Systems manufactures secondary containment products and other accessories predominantly for the petroleum industry designed to protect the environment. The company will continue operating out of its Tennessee location and cooperate with authorities to ensure community safety.
Risk Logic’s experienced engineers perform property loss prevention surveys to assess fire risks, and propose customized solutions for manufacturing companies that utilize ignitable liquids/resins and toxic chemicals. RLI engineers recommend improvements and programs in accordance with NFPA and FM standards. Contact RLI for a property loss prevention survey at your facility to help identify fire risks and exposures and make recommendations to help keep your business safe.
