Bryan Melara/Roundup
Burned wood, portions of a phone book and what appeared to be an old stool were the only noticeable remains in the dumpster after a Wednesday afternoon dumpster fire at Pierce College.
The fire occurred in the dumpster located on the staff parking lot of the Village.
It was reported at 5:30 p.m. to campus sheriffs.
Seven sheriffs in total, arrived on the scene to try to contain the flames with a fire extinguisher.
However, their efforts were unsuccessful as the extinguisher caused more smoke.
Sheriffs also diverted students and staff away from the affected area.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department arrived rapidly to contain the fire.
The blaze was 100 percent contained at 5:40 p.m. with the help of five firefighters from Tarzana’s Engine 93.
Firefighters used 250 gallons of water to contain the fire according to Engine 93 Captain John Holtby.
After it was contained, smoke lingered in the air and debris continued to fall as firefighters and sheriffs cleared the scene.
The exact cause remains unknown.
“It could’ve been arson, it could’ve been a cigarette,” said Holtby. “Usually fires don’t start by themselves.”
According to Deputy Al Guerrero, no further investigation will be done.
Guerrero also said he doesn’t believe this incident had anything to do with February’s pipe bomb incident.
“Two different cases,” he said.
There were no injuries as the flames were isolated inside the dumpster.
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Firefighters from Tarzana station 93 respond to a fire that occurred in the Village parking lot in a dumpster around 5 (Victor Stephen Kamont)
Firefighters from Tarzana station 93 respond to a fire that occurred in the Village parking lot in a dumpster around 5 (Victor Stephen Kamont)
