A huge blaze has broken out at a California at under construction apartment complex with locals ordered to evacuate the area.
The ‘major’ fire began on Friday at around 10pm at the site in Visalia.
Dramatic video shows the complex engulfed in flames and a thick plume of smoke rising from the buildings.
It is not yet known if anyone is injured or how the fire began.
Firefighters tackled the blaze for around an hour before bringing the situation under control at 11pm, Visalia Times Delta reports.
A massive fire broke out at an apartment complex in Visalia, California on Friday night
The blaze began at around 10pm with firefighters struggling to contain the flames
Residents in the area were evacuated and locals have been urged to avoid the area
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The blaze at the the complex on Akers Street and Riggin Avenue was so big it could be seen across town
They used aerial water canons to put out the flames, which engulfed multiple apartment buildings.
Road closures were in place for hours in order to protect the public, who were urged to stay away.
Visalia Fire Department said in a statement on Friday night: ‘All Visalia Fire units in the City are on scene of a major fire at Akers Street and Riggin Avenue.
‘Please avoid the area, there will be numerous fire engines and fire hose on the ground in order to put the fire out.’
The fire began in the area at the site of the complex at Akers Street and Riggin Avenue.
The site of the fire was a development of apartments that were under construction
The blaze was so massive that firefighters from Tulare County were drafted in the assist and to cover the rest of Visalia, while its fire department had all hands on deck.
Meanwhile the glow of the flames was so great it could reportedly be seen from across town.
Only three or four of the sixteen buildings at the development were damaged or lost as of last night, according to the Visalia Watchdog.
Fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to monitor for any hotspots, the outlet added.