Fire Engulfs Carson Construction Site

Carson - A fire engulfed a large section of a senior living center building under construction, and caused 11 mobile homes nearby to be destroyed or damaged on Thursday.

The three-alarm blaze erupted around 5 p.m. at the three-story construction site at 21828 S. Avalon Blvd., near Carson Street, that was in the wood frame phase. Winds spread flames to the mobile home park behind the construction site, said Capt. Mark Savage of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The fire at the construction site -- owned by Renaissance Apartment Development -- was knocked down at 7:34 p.m. by over 100 firefighters using 40 pieces of equipment, Savage said. There were no injuries, he added.

"This was a challenging fire," Savage told City News Service. "The winds were a factor and the 100-foot flames were bad but it could've been worse if the winds had really kicked up."

The entire 139-unit mobile home park was evacuated after the fire and residents will not be allowed to return overnight, Savage said. The other two senior living buildings on the property were also evacuated, but residents were being allowed back in late tonight.

Temporary shelter for evacuees is being provided at the city-owned Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center. Families of individuals who live in the senior living center or mobile home park are advised to contact the community center at (310) 835-0212.

The American Red Cross is also on hand providing assistance, Savage said.

The total damage estimate was $3.1 million, with $2.5 million for the senior living center and $600,000 for the mobile home park.