Fire Quickly Controlled at Plant Where 1987 Blaze Forced Evacuation of Homes

NEWPORT BEACH —  Between 30 and 40 firefighters from three cities controlled a fire Sunday afternoon at a metal-plating company, averting a replay of mass evacuations nearly eight years ago when a blaze at the same plant released potentially toxic fumes.

Firefighters who were called to Hixon Metal Finishing Co. about 4 p.m. Sunday found smoke and flames coming from the roof of the main plant where metal-plating operations take place, Newport Beach authorities said.

Firefighters immediately put out a second alarm, receiving help from the Costa Mesa Fire Department and Huntington Beach’s hazardous waste team. Police officials said they also started evacuating a nearby apartment complex, although residents were soon allowed back to their homes.

It took the firefighters about 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. Hazardous materials specialists from Newport Beach and Huntington Beach were able to secure remaining chemicals in the plant, located at 829 Production Place.

Authorities blamed the blaze on a malfunctioning rooftop vapor collection and scrubber unit.

The plant in west Newport Beach was the scene of a much larger fire in 1987 that released potentially toxic fumes and forced the evacuation of more than 200 residents for five days. Two nearby private schools were also ordered closed at the time while cleanup crews removed hazardous chemicals from the plant.