A dramatic fire broke out Wednesday afternoon on the grounds of Fullerton Municipal Airport, prompting a major firefighting response and temporarily disrupting airport operations.
The blaze erupted shortly after noon near the airport at the intersection of Magnolia and Commonwealth avenues, sending a large column of thick black smoke into the sky that could be seen from surrounding areas.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and worked to bring the flames under control. Crews on the ground, along with firefighters positioned atop an aerial ladder, used hoses to douse the fire as they battled the blaze.
There were no immediate reports of injuries following the incident.
The fire nevertheless caused temporary disruption to airport operations. Departing flights were canceled, while arriving flights were halted as firefighters responded to the emergency.
Airport manager Brendan O’Reilly told Eyewitness News that officials closed the runway as a precaution because smoke was billowing across the final approach. Officials hoped to reopen the runway once conditions allowed.
The precautionary closure affected air traffic at the airport while emergency crews worked at the scene. Thick smoke near an active runway can create serious visibility concerns for arriving and departing aircraft, making temporary restrictions necessary until the area is considered safe.
By shortly before 1:30 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said the airport was operating normally, indicating that flight operations had resumed following the emergency response.
The cause of the fire remained unknown at the time of the report. Authorities will need to determine how the blaze started and whether any equipment, structures or other property were damaged.
The incident attracted attention because of the heavy smoke and the large firefighting presence at the airport, but the absence of reported injuries provided some relief as crews worked to contain the situation.
Further information about the origin of the fire and any damage caused may become available as authorities complete their assessment.
