Hanger fire flare up in Tustin prompts school closures
A hangar fire in Tustin has reignited, causing concern among residents and authorities alike Saturday and leading to school closures ordered for Monday.
The North Hangar, which initially erupted on Tuesday morning, had ongoing flames and smoke billowing from the site over the weekend. The situation has prompted heightened safety measures and evacuation efforts.
The fire, which initially raised alarms for its intensity, has now taken an additional toll on the community due to the detection of asbestos in the affected hangar. Authorities swiftly issued health warnings to residents, advising precautions against exposure to the hazardous material.
In response, school closures have been implemented, affecting all schools within the Tustin Unified School District. As a precautionary measure, all tests scheduled for Monday have been canceled.
Firefighters are actively working to contain the fire and assess the extent of the asbestos threat.
Firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority planned to just let the initial fire burn itself out, as they did when the fire first erupted about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Capt. Greg Barta said. Due to the size of the 17- story structure and difficulty of safely reaching the flames, Orange County Fire Authority crews opted to pull back and allow the massive wooden hangar at Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road to burn, essentially consuming the structure.
"Please continue to stay out of the area," the city and OCFA told residents on X . "Residents in the area should continue to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution. We will continue to have our 24 hour fire watch personnel on site until further notice."
On Wednesday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a warning about unhealthy air quality in the area after tests of debris and ash from the fire showed the presence of asbestos, prompting the issuance of the emergency proclamation and a call for residents to take precautions.
Those precautions included the Thursday closure of schools in the Tustin Unified School District and several community parks.
Schools were previously scheduled to be closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.
The two giant hangars were built in 1942 and once housed blimps used in World War II.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hangars stand 17 stories high, are over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide -- and are two of the largest wooden structures built at the air base, according to the Tustin Hangars website.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates.)
