Sepulveda Basin fire: Crews knock down blaze that ignited near homeless encampment

Brush fire breaks out near homeless encampment in Van Nuys

Firefighters quickly worked to contain a fire that broke out at a homeless encampment in the Sepulveda Basin. At least one injury was reported.

LOS ANGELES - Fire crews quickly knocked down a fire that broke out in the Sepulveda Basin in Van Nuys on Wednesday afternoon. Video from the scene shows the blaze ignited near a homeless encampment.

 The fire came as a mini-heat wave struck down on Southern California with soaring temperatures and high winds. 

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What we know:

The fire was first reported just after 12:15 p.m. in the 6400 block of N. Balboa Boulevard. Los Angeles City firefighters were initially informed of a grass fire, which was then upgraded to a brush fire burning at about an acre and a half. 

Metro line closed 

The fire then spread to palm trees and jumped the Orange Line. 

The Orange Line closed from Woodley to White Oak as the fire continued to spread in the area, officials said. 

One person was being treated by paramedics after suffering burn injuries. 

LAFD Air Ops were conducting water drops as ground crews established hose lines around the blaze. 

The fire was declared a knock down just before 1:30 p.m. In total, four acres burned. 

Helping in the fire fight 

Images from SkyFOX showed multiple people, believed to be unhoused, attempting to knock out the flames. People were seen shoveling sand on frames. One person appeared to have a machete and was seen cutting the grass under the flames.