Computer Parts Plant Hit by $500,000 Fire

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators believe an electrical malfunction ignited a fire that caused an estimated $500,000 damage Monday to a military computer parts plant on Van Nuys Airport property.

About 40 firefighters put out the 4 a.m. blaze at Action Computer Products in the 16200 block of Lindbergh Street in about 25 minutes, department spokesman Jim Williamson said.

The plant was empty at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. However, a firefighter who was splashed with an acid solution while fighting the blaze was treated at the scene for minor injuries and returned to duty.

The fire apparently was started by an electrical short in an equipment storage shed behind the plant and spread to the main building where computer parts are manufactured, Williamson said.

Because firefighters found holding tanks of chemicals in the shed, hazardous materials experts built a sand dike on Lindbergh to prevent runoff water from entering the sewer system.

Frank Cervantes, senior hazardous materials specialist with the Los Angeles County Health Department, said there was no spill from the tanks of sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and other caustic chemicals used in plate-making and the manufacture of circuit boards.

Williamson said the fire caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the shed and adjoining building. He said the loss of three trucks and machinery used inside the plant was estimated at $450,000.

Action Computer Products, which occupies six buildings on airport property, was able to continue operations in the rest of its facilities, officials said.