Compton's earliest settlers were faced with terrible hardships as they farmed the land in bleak weather to get by with just the barest subsistence. However, to avoid confusion with the Camptonville located in Yuba County, the name was shortened to Compton. Originally named Gibsonville, after one of the tract owners, it was later called Comptonville. These families had traveled by wagon train south from Stockton, California, in search of ways to earn a living other than the rapid exhaustion of gold fields. In 1867, Griffith Dickenson Compton led a group of 30 pioneers to the area. The tree that marked the original northern boundary of the rancho still stands at the corner of Poppy and Short streets.

The Domínguez family name is still applied throughout the area, including the Dominguez Rancho Adobe historical landmark, in the unincorporated community of Rancho Dominguez, located between the cities of Compton, Long Beach and Carson. Domínguez's descendants partitioned the land amongst family members, sold parcels to newly arriving settlers, and relinquished some when validating their legal claim with the Mexican government at 48,000 acres (190 km 2) in 1828, and with the United States government through a patent validating 43,119 acres (174.50 km 2) in 1858.

In 1784, the Spanish Crown deeded Rancho San Pedro, a tract of over 75,000 acres (300 km 2), to soldier Juan José Domínguez. In 1767, the area became part of the Province of the Californias ( Spanish: Provincia de las Californias), and the area was explored by the Portolá expedition in 1769–1770. 'I woke up 4:30 in the morning, one of my uncles screaming fire fire fire,' said Jimmy Valadez.The Spanish Empire had expanded into this area when the Viceroy of New Spain commissioned Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to explore the Pacific Ocean in 1542–1543. The family who owns Matrix Mattress lives on site. Footage from AIR7 HD showed some flames continuing to burn as smoke filled the sky. More than two hours after the fire was first reported, firefighters continued to work to prevent flames from spreading outside the perimeter of the commercial area.īy 7:45 a.m., the fire was deemed to be 'under control,' but not knock down. It was unclear if the house was occupied at the time.Ĭrews from the Los Angeles County Fire and Downey Fire departments also responded to the scene. Fire crews surrounded the area as flames ripped through rows of school and charter-style buses parked in a lot next door - several of which appeared to be a total loss.įlames were also threatening what appeared to be a nearby home. Multiple structures were reduced to rubble, at least a dozen buses were scorched, several transformers reportedly exploded and power lines were downed as the fire continued to rage.Ī massive column of smoke could be seen from several miles away, including in downtown Los Angeles.ĪIR7 HD was over the scene as daylight illuminated the widespread damage.

The fire began in the pallet yard and spread to a nearby bus yard, according to officials. Officials said the commercial complex included a pallet yard, transportation business and family owned mattress company. (KABC) - A massive fire in an industrial area of Compton spread through several businesses and engulfed multiple structures and buses in flames, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky Friday morning.Ĭompton Fire crews responded to the scene near Santa Fe and Banning avenues just after 4:30 a.m., officials said. A massive fire in an industrial area of Compton engulfed several businesses and buses, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky Friday morning.ĬOMPTON, Calif.

Pallet fire in compton california