A massive fire broke out at a business in Montebello Thursday night, shutting down traffic and forcing the evacuation of a nearby apartment building.
The Verdugo Fire Department reports that the fire started around 7:20 p.m. and although it is now extinguished, streets on East Whittier Boulevard remain blocked.
Video from witnesses showed a fireball bursting from the roof of the Montebello business, bringing the Whittier Boulevard area to a standstill as firefighters rushed to contain the blaze.
Jorge Manzur, who owns Manzur Smog Check, said he rushed to the scene after hearing about the fire.
“Somebody told me that there was a fire at my business. And I live three blocks away from here, so I come right away,” Manzur said.
Manzur tried to fight the fire himself with his own extinguisher, but quickly realized there was nothing he could do.
“It was like a volcano. It was huge. The flames were huge. I never seen something like that before,” he said.
Firefighters managed to get the flames under control by 9 p.m., and the cause of the fire is now under investigation.
Manzur is left hoping his shop can be salvaged.
“That’s 33 years of work. I think it’s going to be a mess. I hope the insurance covers,” he said.
Authorities continue to monitor the area and will provide updates as the investigation into the fire progresses.