Fire engulfs building of aluminum business in Orange

It took 55 firefighters an hour and a half to get a blaze under control at an Orange commercial building early Wednesday, Dec. 26.

They had to fight the fire, which started shortly before 1:30 a.m., from the outside because the structure of the aluminum-products company was so engulfed that firefighters couldn’t go inside, said Capt. Ian MacDonald of the Orange City Fire Department.

Employees of Quality Aluminum Forge were working inside the building, on North Cypress Street near Collins Avenue, at the time but were able to escape unharmed, MacDonald said.

The business manufactures aluminum products for aerospace companies.

A hazardous-materials team was called to the scene, but there did not end up being any dangerous situation involving chemicals or materials beyond the fire itself. Large propane tanks were near the back of the business.

Southern California Edison officials were called to shut off the power.

Fire investigators were trying to lock down what started the blaze, but some of the employees reported that a hydraulic line broke, with fluid coming in contact with something hot.

“Many times when we have these hydraulic lines burst, there’s a spray of hydraulic oil that’s susceptible to ignition and can cause a fire very quickly,” MacDonald said.