This is What Happens When You Spray Water on a Magnesium-Fueled Fire

This is What Happens When You Spray Water on a Magnesium-Fueled Fire

[ WATCH IT ] This is a good example of why you don't spray water on burning magnesium.

Residents in East Los Angeles woke up to an unexpected fireworks show Tuesday as firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze at a warehouse reportedly stocked with magnesium. 

One of several explosions at Maywood structure fire in 3500 blk of Fruitland Ave.4,000 without power in Maywood commercial building fireAt least three explosions were heard coming out of the fully-involved structure, which were caused by water from the fire hoses hitting magnesium, according to Randall Wright of the L.A. County Fire Department.

Officials were able to keep the fire from spreading but were allowing the magnesium to burn to avoid more violent explosions.

"Magnesium is very volatile. This is a very dangerous fire we are fighting right now. The tactic we are going to use now is we are going to allow the magnesium to burn...We're going to extinguish the fire around it, therefore, this fire is going to burn for a while. We'll let it all burn off and protect the property and lives next door to the building," Wright said.