Fire at South Gate commercial building causes shelter-in place order

Firefighters battle an industrial fire in on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in South Gate. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SOUTH GATE — A large fire at a commercial building in South Gate sent huge plumes of smoke into the air Sunday and prompted a shelter-in- place order for nearby residents, including in Downey.

Firefighters responded at 2:40 p.m. Sunday to the 11800 block of Industrial Avenue, near Gardendale Street, where they found smoke and fire showing from the one-story commercial building, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Video from TV news crews showed firefighters using ladders to attack flames shooting from the roof as they fought the industrial fire in a defensive mode.

Firefighters reported the flames were out at 4:19 p.m., officials said. Crews remained on the scene to put out hot spots.

The South Gate Police Department had issued a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding community.

"People and pets should stay indoors with doors and windows closed," County Supervisor Janice Hahn said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.