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3-Alarm Fire Torches Burbank Tobacco Shop

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — Crews battled a major three-alarm fire at a San Gabriel Valley tobacco shop Friday morning.

The fire at Wholesale Giant Inc. was first reported around 3:30 a.m. at the corner of Manning Street and Victory Boulevard, Burbank Fire Department officials said.

Glendale and Pasadena fire departments also offered mutual aid in fighting the fire.

"We woke up to some popping and cracking and my wife and I weren't sure what they were  . . . it almost felt like the Fourth of July," neighbor Eddie Harv said.

"They had cases of the little CO2 cartridges . . . once those became involved in the fire, the seal ruptured and those were shooting off," Cpt. Peter Hendrickson of the Burbank Fire Department said.

Flames could be seen shooting through the building's roof, which caused it to collapse.

Firefighters finally extinguished the blaze at 7 a.m.

It is unclear how the fire began. No evacuations were ordered.

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