A fire that started in a two-story commercial building Sunday caused an explosion that led to downed power lines and exposed vegetation by a freeway in Palms.

The fire was reported in the outbuilding of an auto business in the 3300 block of South Livonia Avenue, near the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, around 7:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The explosion was believed to be connected to vehicles, possibly due to magnesium components, according to the department.

Flames then spread to the brush adjacent to the freeway, creating smoky conditions. Responding engines shut down parts of eastbound freeway traffic and slowed down westbound traffic.

Seven dozen LAFD firefighters with at least two engines from the Culver City Fire Department knocked down the flames in

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