A major fire broke out at a battery storage facility in South Los Angeles early Sunday. Over 140 firefighters responded, with hazmat teams monitoring air quality.

Containing a structure fire in L.A.'s Harbor Gateway area overnight proved to be both challenging and hazardous. Just after 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Los Angeles Fire Department initially reported that workers had been dispatched to the 16000 block of Vermont Avenue. The building, which was estimated to be 300 feet by 200 feet, had flames on the outside when the first workers arrived. 

A deep electrical vault and extensive battery storage in the building caused the LAFD to initially go into defensive firefighting mode. A significant portion of the battery storage was still burning at 9 a.m., according to the LAFD, which presented difficulties for the firefighters and the locals. As early as eight in the morning, hazmat experts were on the scene to keep an eye on water runoff and air quality.

The L.A. Department of Water and Power was on the property, de-energizing the building. By 10:45 a.m., the LAFD verified that the fire had been completely put out. In addition to handling other public safety concerns, a group of 144 firefighters worked on the "complex" fire for about five hours. No orders for evacuation were given.

No injuries were reported right away to firefighters or residents. It is still unknown what caused the fire. Fire officials arrived at 11 a.m. On Sunday that to completely control the "complex fire" and lower safety hazards, over 140 firemen had to stay in defensive mode for five hours.