WHITTIER – A trash can fire spread to a liquor store early Wednesday, causing an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the business and its stock, officials said.
The fire was first reported about 3:27 a.m. at the Main Market, 12604 Penn Street, between Pickering and Newlin avenues, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Scott Miller said.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire burning in a trash can that was just below a window of the store, Capt. Steve Xermeno said.
The fire had broken out the window and begun to spread into the rear portion of the shop, the captain said.
“Whoever called it in, they called it in in the nick of time,” Xermeno said. “It was starting to make it’s way into the attic.”
Firefighters extinguished the flames in a matter of minutes, officials said.
Officials estimated the fire caused about $100,000 worth of damage to the building, and another $100,000 worth of damage to items inside.
Firefighters were unable to determine exactly what started the fire in the trash can, Xermeno said.