A large blaze in Sun Valley prompted closures on the 5 Freeway on Saturday evening, Nov. 19, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Dubbed the Penrose fire, the “wind-driven” blaze began as a vegetation fire and spread to a nearby one-story commercial building near the freeway shortly after, according to LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey. More than 100 LAFD firefighters had been dispatched to the fire, which had reached “major emergency status” by 8:20 p.m, Humphrey added.
Large plumes of smoke and flames were visible from above.
This active, *wind-driven* vegetation fire that has extended to a commercial building adjacent to the Golden State (I-5) Freeway in #SunValley is officially known as the #PenroseFire https://t.co/gs2Mfr7T7J
— LAFD (@LAFD) November 20, 2022
It was not immediately clear what started the fire and whether any injuries had occurred.
“LAFD has asked CHP to close both north and southbound lanes of the Golden State (I-5) Freeway between the Hollywood (SR170) Freeway and Sunland Boulevard until LAFD operations are complete,” said a Fire Department statement.
The CHP log showed northbound lanes were blocked by 8:19 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.