Big Fire in Tustin

Right before I did the weekly radio show I was listening to the OC Fire Authority as they were fighting this one (photo and article from the OC Register):

Nearly 100 firefighters are fighting a large blaze that's engulfed a two-story office building, authorities said.

Flames quickly began to consume the front of the building, forcing firefighters to restrict their attack of the fire from the outside, said Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion of the Orange County Fire Authority.

"No one is inside," Concepcion said. "It's because of the size of the flames. We can't send someone inside."

Part of the roof of the building was reported to have collapsed just minutes after firefighters arrived.

The fire was reported at 7:39 a.m. at 17291 Irvine Blvd, officials said. Firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange Fire Department have responded, said Capt. Greg McKeown of the OCFA.

Firefighters arrived on scene minutes after the call was received and immediately requested additional units to help battle the blaze, officials said.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles.

You can listen along here. They've just asked for a sixth alarm to help with the rehab of the structure once the fire is out. That means much of Orange County's firefighting equipment (both from OCFA and surrounding agencies) is either committed to this event or has been moved to cover stations left vacant by this incident. The mutual aid network in Orange County is working well.

Way back in 1988 I had a front row seat for a commercial fire in Mission Viejo and I was able to shoot some pretty dramatic video.  You can see that here.