Buildings evacuated in Commerce after big rig carrying compressed nitrogen catches fire

Commercial buildings in the area of a tractor-trailer that caught fire in Commerce have been evacuated as Los Angeles County Fire Department crews are responding.

The hazmat incident was reported around 12:20 p.m. in the 2700 block of South Garfield Avenue. LACoFD crews responded to a tractor-trailer that was on fire.

A 1/4 mile evacuation has been ordered, according to the LA County Fire Department. That area even reached to a nearby school, which was forced to go into shelter in place mode as the firefight continued.

As their battle continued, firefighters reported that the truck was carrying compressed nitrogen gas inside of the tanks, which is why the fire continued to burn for an extended period of time.

SkyCal flew over the scene, where a constant stream of water doused the side of the tanker truck. There were no flames still burning, but the side of the building was clearly singed from the earlier fire.

No injuries have been reported.

It's unclear what started the fire.