Massive fire at Oxnard factory considered one of the largest in city's recent history

Fire in Oxnard forces 'shelter in place' order

Officials issued a shelter in place order after a fire erupted at the old Sunkist lemon processing plant in Oxnard. Fire authorities said the building is a total loss.

OXNARD, Calif. - Oxnard residents who live in the West Village and La Colonia neighborhoods were temporarily told to shelter in place Wednesday after a massive fire erupted at the old Sunkist lemon processing plant.

Video from the scene shows flames shooting through the roof at the factory located in the 600 block of Colonia Road. Fire authorities said the second-alarm fire was reported around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and that the building would be a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

Fire authorities said due to the dangerous conditions within the building, crews maintained a defensive position to knock down the flames. Traffic control and aerial drone footage were also used during the firefight.

Road Closures

Oxnard Boulevard was closed for several hours from Roderick Avenue to Second Street. Railway traffic was closed for several hours before resuming operations late Wednesday morning.

Street traffic remains closed in both directions from Oxnard Boulevard from Deodar Avenue to Cooper Road and from Colonia Road from Oxnard Blvd. to Haynes Avenue.

School Closures

Officials also announced school closures as a result of the blaze. The Oxnard School District announced the following schools were closed as a result of the fire:

Ramona Elementary
Cesar Chavez School
Brekke Elementary
RJ Frank Academy

All schools listed above are closed until further notice. Parents were encouraged to stay updated with information provided by district officials.

Firefighters worked to knock down a second-alarm fire that erupted at the old Sunkist lemon processing plant in Oxnard.

Crews remained at the scene Wednesday morning before the fire was declared a knockout. The shelter-in-place order was also lifted.

Crews from Oxnard’s Public Works department were cleaning up debris from the streets impacted by the fire. In anticipation of rain, regular street sweeping schedules were suspended Wednesday.

Officials with the Oxnard Fire Department said this is considered one of the largest fires in Oxnard’s recent history.