Over 100 LAFD Firefighters Battle a Motel Blaze in Van Nuys; 4 Occupants Injured

VAN NUYS - Over 100 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a blaze in a Van Nuys motel where four were injured on August 24, 2013.

At 11:14 am the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived at 6500 Sepulveda Boulevard in four minutes to find smoke billowing out of the second story of a two-story "O" shaped motel, named the Voyager Motor Inn. Additional companies were immediately requested.  

Firefighters rushed inside with hose-lines and laddered the second story windows helping trapped victims to safely escape. Additional firefighters performed vertical ventilation on the roof with chainsaws while others kicked in doors of units to perform rapid Search and Rescue operations.

Fire attack was difficult due to the building lay out and the volume of fire throughout the second floor. The motel had 120 units, 60 were occupied.

The fire appeared to have originated in unit 246. The occupant rushed out leaving the door open and the flames rapidly spread, additional occupants did the same, causing the fire to blow down the hallways like a horizontal chimney, fueled by a light wind.

The bulk of the damage occurred on the second floor. Flames and smoke damaged approximately 50 units, and multiple units on the first floor suffered water damage. The motel was equipped with smoke alarms, not with fire sprinklers.

The flames were confined to the motel and no nearby structures were damaged. A total of  147 firefighters (including those initially dispatched and additional firefighters assisting with overhaul), all under the command of Battalion Chief Don Reyes, extinguished the flames in one hour and 16 minutes. Firefighters remained in an offensive attack.

The LAFD worked closely with various departments and organizations including CERT. The Emergency Management Department played a key role in collaborating the with the American Red Cross and with Recreation and Parks to open up the Delano Recreation Center for the approximately 50 displaced residents. Additionally, Metropolitan Transportation Authority was utilized to transport these residents from the fire scene to the shelter location. LAPD assisted with scene security and authentication of proper occupants during the collection of personal property.

A total of four persons were treated on scene. Three patients ranging from a five month-old female to a 32 year-old female, all with non-life-threatening injuries were transported to local hospitals. No one was burned.

The cause of the fire is Undetermined, and remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section. The estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units:  E39 E288 T88 E90 RA881 E100 RA100 E289 T89 EM14 BC5 BC10 E102 E81 BC14 E489 E7 E273 T73 E293 T93 DC1 EM17 BC12 UR88 T27 E227 E27 UR27 BC5 AR2 RA27 RA39 EA1 E290 T90 E261 T61 E105 E83 RA88 RA90 EM9 T60 E260 E5 E26 T12 E212 E27 DC1 BC14 T39 E239

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Demolishes Two Businesses in Panorama City

PANORAMA CITY - It took the combined effort of 162 Los Angeles Firefighters more than two hours to fully control flames early Wednesday morning, when fire swept through a large building shared by a metal finishing firm and sign manufacturing business in the central San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by the 9-1-1 call of a passerby at 3:14 AM, reporting a fire in or near a one-story industrial building at 14660 Arminta Street in Panorama City.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of a metal plating business housed in a portion of the 200' x 300' structure. A witness thankfully alerted building occupants of the fire, allowing those two men to escape unharmed prior to the Fire Department's arrival.


Within minutes, fire was through the roof of the 61 year-old building - containing hazardous chemicals, causing firefighters to assume a defensive posture to prevent flames from spreading to nearby businesses, while focusing their concern on limiting environmental harm. LAFD Hazardous Materials experts performed multiple assessments of the water runoff and ambient air quality during the relentless battle to control flames. Though one acidic reading was noted in pooled water on the premises, no off-site air or water hazards were specifically identified.

Despite structural compromise, the fire was skillfully confined to the single building of fire origin, with the bulk of flames extinguished in 2 hours and 7 minutes. Spared from fire damage was the attached K & K Design Studios immediately to the west, as well as the neighboring Consolidated Fabricators to the east.

No injuries were reported at the scene of the fire. LAFD personnel remained on-site for more than 24 hours overhauling smoldering debris, assisting a detailed fire cause investigation and supporting County of Los Angeles Health Hazardous Materials Division responders, who will oversee cleanup operations.

Fire loss to Aero Chrome Plating and Nationwide Displays, which were destroyed in the fire, is still being tabulated. The cause of the early morning blaze remains under active investigation.

More than four hours after the flames were extinguished, LAFD crews were summoned to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau Headquarters, four-tenths of a mile northeast of the blaze, where eleven civilian and uniformed workers - who had not responded to the scene, expressed subjective respiratory irritation and general malaise.

One worker was taken to the hospital by colleagues prior to the Fire Department's arrival. Following a comprehensive medical evaluation by LAFD Paramedics, nine of the remaining ten patients declined further medical treatment or transportation by Fire Department ambulance. One woman was taken by LAFD Paramedics to a nearby hospital for further evaluation, her condition was not specified. LAFD personnel were unable to identify any acutely hazardous substance or condition within the police facility that may have been related to the fire.

Dispatched Units: E81 RA881 RA81 E7 E239 T39 E290 E90 T90 EM14 BC10 BC12 E98 E87 SQ87 E298 T98 RA7 RA90 E275 T75 E288 T88 DC3 E100 EM15 EM17 BC14 BC15 UR88 T27 E227 E27 UR27 BC5 T87 E287 RA87 RA27 E60 E39 E88 E293 T93 E289 T89 E273 T73 AR2 EA1 E29 E211 T11 E95 T95 E295 SQ95 RM2 RM3 RT83 RA909 HR56 AR7 E93 T61 E261 T37 E237 E83 T89 E289 E88

[ photos ] [ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Southern California Summer Skateboarding Expo; Benefiting LAFD Foundation

ENCINO - The 2013 Southern California Summer Skateboarding Expo is hitting LA from August 9 to 11 with three days of skateboarding, contests,  and music that will bring the world's top skateboarders together with 15 bands - a first for the San Fernando Valley.

The Expo will be held at Pedlow Park located at 17334 Victory Blvd in Encino. The park will undergo a temporary expansion from 1 acre to 3.8 acres. The agenda also includes a mini ramp, concert stage, Game Truck LA, over 100 vendors, sponsors and exhibitors. The expo will feature 22 categories of competition including, vert, street, mini ramp and bowl.

Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and TrafficThe event will benefit several charities including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. My Fox LA's Mar Yvette will interview Los Angeles Firefighters in the morning of August 9, 2013, who will explain how this event benefits the Los Angeles Fire Department. Get your tickets and join in the fun with people of all ages and watch competitors of all skill levels performing in a safe and controlled skating environment.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Two Los Angeles Firefighters Injured in Sherman Oaks Blaze

SHERMAN OAKS - Two firefighters suffered burns this morning battling a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at a three-story hillside home in Sherman Oaks on May 4, 2013.

Los Angeles Firefighters quickly made their way up a narrow, winding road to 4008 Sumac Drive, off Beverly Glen Boulevard, at 12:02 a.m. Arriving firefighters found at least one room ablaze in the unoccupied house, which had two stories below ground level (sub level 1 & sub level 2). An aggressive attack ensued and additional resources were immediately requested.

First arriving firefighters attacked the ground level flames and quickly realized intense flames were burning beneath them as well. Conditions inside the structure rapidly deteriorated. All three floors quickly became unstable due to extensive fire load. One veteran Fire Captain, low on air, was forced to call "Emergency Traffic" due to difficulty exiting the massive structure. He narrowly exited. Firefighters were ordered out of the structure and forced to fight the flames defensively from the exterior. Ultimately all three floors of the home were charred with extensive fire damage.

One hundred firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, took just over one hour to fully extinguish the blaze.

Two firefighters were injured and transported to local hospitals. One Fire Captain in serious but stable condition and one Firefighter in fair but stable condition, both received minor burns. No civilians were injured.

Several arson investigators remained on scene for hours carefully combing through debris. The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section.

This incident reminded many firefighters of the recent tragic fire at a hillside home on 1546 N. Viewsite Drive in Hollywood Hills where sadly LAFD Firefighter Glen Allen was killed.

The estimated dollar loss is $260,000 ($180,000 structure & $80,000 contents).

Dispatched Units: E99 E33 RA99 T88 E288 RA88 EM14 BC10 BC714 E81 E10 DC3 E278 T78 E108 BC9 E293 T93 UR88 RA78 E481 E109 RA83 T39 EM9 EM17 T27 E227 UR27 BC5 RA827 AR2 EA1 E37 RT83 CM3 AR11 AR9 CM2 SU2 T90 E290

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Handles Van Nuys Brush Fire that Closed SB 405 Freeway

VAN NUYS - Los Angeles firefighters quickly surrounded a four-acre brush fire that forced the closure of all southbound lanes on the 405 Freeway near Victory Boulevard on Saturday afternoon.

On April 20, 2013, multiple commuters contacted 9-1-1 around 2:45 p.m., alerting firefighters of a 1/2 acre grass fire just south of Victory Boulevard near Haskell Avenue, west of the 405 freeway. Pushed along by a nine mph breeze, flames began spreading into nearby dry brush and trees. Additional firefighters and water dropping helicopters were immediately requested.
  
A total of 75 hard working firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Trevor Richmond, battled through portions of steep terrain in 91 degree heat and 11% humidity, fully containing the flames to four acres by 4:30 p.m.

Fortunately there were no structures threatened, however an additional concern was a nearby homeless encampment, which firefighters thoroughly searched, ensuring no one was in danger. The encampment proved to be empty and no one was injured.

Firefighters, including members of LAFD Crew 3, remained on scene for over four hours ensuring no hot spots reignited.

The flames temporarily shut down all south lanes of the 405 at Victory Boulevard, the Roscoe Boulevard on-ramp and the Victory off-ramp. A SigAlert was declared by the CHP at 3:17 p.m. As soon as safely possible CHP progressively opened lanes until the SigAlert was cancelled at 6:27 p.m.

Dispatched Units: E288 T88 E39 E290 T90 BC10 E100 E88 WT88 E83 DC3 CW3A BP83 RA100 E13 E81 E102 EM17 BC14 H5 H1 BC12 E61 E7 E93 H5

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Damages Building on James Monroe High School Campus

NORTH HILLS - A pre-dawn fire on the campus of James Monroe High School damaged portions of a classroom building early Friday morning.

Summoned by a 9-1-1 call from a passerby who noted smoke at 2:41 AM on November 9, 2012, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded swiftly to 9229 Haskell Avenue in North Hills, to discover fire within a large one-story building on the south side of the campus.

It took the well-coordinated effort of 94 Los Angeles Firefighters just 45 minutes to quell the flames within a wood shop and an adjacent hallway. No injuries were reported.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E290 E90 T90 RA90 E7 RA7 EM15 BC10 E81 E275 T75 E87 E287 T87 E103 DC3 BC12 SQ87 BC15 EL83 AR2 E239 T39 E298 T98 EM17 E288 T88 E89 UR88 RA88 RA889 BC14 RT83

[ photos ] [ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Rushes to Encino High Rise Fire

ENCINO - A small high-rise fire trapped a woman in an elevator and forced upwards of 100 occupants of multiple businesses to evacuate.

Just before 2:00 PM on September 12, 2012, Los Angeles Firefighters rushed from the ground and air to 16661 Ventura Boulevard after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls of a possible fire on the roof of a seven story modern high-rise. As firefighters hurried inside, many occupants were rushing out.

 

Multiple activated smoke alarms and manual pull stations were noticed as the lobby fire alarm control panel was evaluated. Additional Firefighters were immediately requested. Scores of firefighters then calmly escorted occupants to safety, recalled the elevators, searched every floor of the 127,774 (sq ft) structure, contacted the building engineer, and located the source of the lazy smoke.

 

A 3' x 2' electrical box in a rooftop equipment room was quickly extinguished after catching fire. However, the smoke rapidly circulated through the building's HVAC system, pouring it throughout the offices. The flames also disrupted services in the buildings four elevators, trapping a woman. Firefighters quickly located, freed, and evaluated her. She declined transport to a hospital.

A total of 139 firefighters responded, under the command of Assistant Chief Kwame Cooper, many of which remained on scene for hours to remove the smoke and assist those in need.

The cause of the fire is electrical and the estimated dollar loss is $2500.

Dispatched Units: E83 E293 T93 RA83 E90 E109 RA100 H0B H0E H0C E39 T73 E273 E290 T90 EM17 BC10 BC15 E100 H1 H2 H4 H3 T88 E288 E93 E99 E287 T87 E278 T78 DC3 SQ21 EM12 BC9 E89 T27 E227 UR88 BC14 EM15 E103 BC17 RA93 RA99 RA102 EM14 E85 RA27 T85 E285 UR27 E85

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Residential Compost Blaze Damages 3 San Fernando Valley Homes

LAKE BALBOA - The spontaneous combustion of a residential compost pile during triple-digit heat on Wednesday afternoon, led to $76,000 in damage to a trio of San Fernando Valley Homes.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 3:05 PM on August 8, 2012 to an outside fire in the 17300 block of Marlin Place in Lake Balboa. With ambient temperature hovering at an oppressive 105 degrees Fahrenheit, firefighters arrived swiftly to find the outside fire had extended into a pair of side-by-side garages at adjacent homes.

As LAFD crews attacked the twin fires, they also noted flames on the wood shake roof of a home more than 200' away, sparked by an ember from the initial blaze. Despite the spatial challenge and light but variable winds, thirty-nine firefighters had the flames under full control in less than 12 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

LAFD Battalion Chief Mark Saxelby later determined that mulch within a plastic above-ground device - the size of a 30-gallon trash can, in the side yard of 17336 Marlin Place, had spontaneously ignited, causing fire to spread west into the garage at 17338 Marlin Place, with a wind-driven ember igniting the more distant roof fire at 17345 Marlin Place.

Loss to the homes at 17336 and 17338 was an identical $30,000 structural damage and $5,000 contents loss. The roof and attic at 17345 sustained $6,000 in structural damage only, bringing the overall fire loss at the three Marlin Place homes to $76,000.

While the fire is considered accidental, it underscores the importance of closely following instructions for home mulching systems, and taking appropriate precautions during periods of high heat.

Dispatched Units: E90 RA17 E273 T73 E93 RA903 EM15 BC15 E84 E83 E293 T93 BC17

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Model Plane Suspected Cause of 30 Acre Wildfire

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - More than 100 firefighters responded by ground and air to battle a fast-moving thirty-acre grass fire in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area on Monday afternoon.
The wildfire was reported at 12:18 PM on July 16, 2012, south of 6400 Woodley Avenue, within a 2,000 acre public reserve of undeveloped land in the south San Fernando Valley, that serves as a seasonal flood control basin.

Light but variable winds fanned flames in three-foot tall grass that led to thicker and more volatile vegetation, as the fire quickly grew. Los Angeles Fire Department helicopters performed precise aerial water drops to help contain the forward movement of the fire, as LAFD ground crews deftly flanked the flames.

They were soon joined by five Los Angeles County Fire Department handcrews, four of their Supervisors and an LACoFD helicopter to collectively contain the fire in just 47 minutes.

The flames were fully extinguished in less than 90 minutes. A preliminary estimate of twenty acres burned was increased to 30.5 acres following a more detailed assessment once the smoke cleared. No structures were threatened or damaged, and there was no need for evacuation.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters suspect that a radio-controlled model aircraft from the nearby Apollo XI Model Aircraft Flying Field, may have landed unintentionally in the tinder dry grass, sparking the blaze. Los Angeles Police Officers interviewed witnesses at the scene for what remains an active investigation.

Dispatched LAFD Units: E100 BC10 E90 WT88 E88 E88 H0D H1 E83 E81 RA100 E290 T90 E239 E39 T39 E273 T73 E93 DC3 EM15 BC14 H4 H6 E87 E70 E84 BC17 BC729 RT83 E89 E105 BP28

[ photos | photos ]


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Confines Inferno to North Hills Wholesale Firm

NORTH HILLS - A fast-moving fire was confined to a North Hills merchandising firm on Thursday evening, as firefighters spared nearby businesses and prevented injury.

A steady stream of 9-1-1 calls reported the blaze, beginning at 7:51 PM on Thursday, June 14, 2012, as a large column of smoke arose from the one-story 60' x 150' building at 15748 Arminta Street in North Hills.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire through the roof of One on One Trading, an overstock merchandising firm that shared a common wall with other businesses.

Skilfully forcing entry through rolling steel doors into the non-fire sprinklered structure, fire crews encountered an inferno that had consumed much of the wholesale merchandise in the building before burning through the lightweight roof above.

A bold and well coordinated offense by more than sixty Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, held flames within the business of fire origin. The blaze was extinguished in just 24 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is still being tabulated, while the cause of the dusk-hour blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: T90 E290 RA90 RA81 E239 E39 T39 E103 E7 EM15 BC10 BC15 E100 E90 T88 E288 DC3 E81 E287 E87 T87 E273 T73 RA87 RA39 E88 E275 T75 E102 SQ21 EM17 BC17 UR88 AR1 RA909 E87 T89 E289 E60 E90

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Rescue Female Trapped in Burning Van Nuys Apartment

VAN NUYS - Just before 5:00 AM on Saturday March, 3rd, 2012, Los Angeles Firefighters rescued a 19 year-old female trapped in a bathroom, inside her burning apartment.

Firefighters rushed with lights and sirens to 15440 West Sherman Way, where they found a large three-story apartment building with smoke beginning to pour out from one unit on the second floor.

Meanwhile a young college student, who described herself as a, "deep sleeper", curtly awoke to the sound of smoke alarms echoing, alerting her of a fire. When she instinctively opened her bedroom door to the living room, she said it was, "ablaze". Using her cell phone, she immediately dialed 9-1-1. The call was received at LAFD's new Metro Fire Communications, where a scared woman was heard stating, "smoke is flooding my bedroom and I can't get out!" After determining her address, where she was inside the residence, and that she was unable to get to a window, the 9-1-1 Firefighter/Dispatcher instructed her to close the door, and get away from the fire. Over the next few minutes, life saving advice was provided.

Unable to escape, it was determined that a bathroom connected to her bedroom was the safest place to find shelter. As heavy black smoke rapidly crept in, she was instructed to place wet towels around the door and in the cracks to diminish it's deadly threat. Shortly thereafter, through sporadic coughing, and smoke stung eyes, she confided in the dispatcher, "Oh my God, I'm terrified". The dispatcher reassured her that firefighters were outside and running to her apartment, then stated, "I'm going to stay on the phone with you until they find you." She was then instructed to place a wet towel over her nose and face to filter smoke and lay flat on the ground to find clean air.

 

Concurrently, firefighters rushing to her aid were notified exactly where the trapped victim was located, expediting her rescue. A "drop bag" operation was swiftly executed to bring hose-lines to the second story. Firefighters then broke through the front door, battled intense flames and performed an immediate search of the 1,000 square-foot apartment, and rescued the woman in a matter of minutes. She stated, "They were wearing masks and had flashlights. It was like a movie."

She was safely rushed outside and compassionately treated by LAFD Firefighter/Paramedics, then transported to Valley Presbyterian Hospital as a precaution. Later that day she was without injury or medical complaint and stated, "I'm so happy to be alive".

Under the command of Battalion Chief Hayden, 75 firefighters fully extinguished the blaze in just 22 minutes. The bulk of the fire was in the living room and kitchen.

The cause of this early morning blaze, is undetermined, possibly electrical in nature. The dollar loss is estimated at $40,000 ($20,000 structure and $15,000 contents).

Due to the amount smoke and fire, the woman would not have survived if it were not for three important things:
 

1. Functional smoke alarms providing early fire detection, and time to call 9-1-1.
2. Listening to the 9-1-1 Firefighter/Dispatcher's lifesaving instructions.
3. The outstanding work of trained Los Angeles firefighters.

This brave young woman's first name is, Blessing.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Major Emergency Structure Fire in Van Nuys Injures 2 LA Firefighters

VAN NUYS - Over 125 Los Angeles Firefighters extinguished an enormous fire in a 150' x 100' one-story commercial building in just under two hours, where two Los Angeles Firefighters were injured. 

Just after 5:00 pm on Wednesday February 15th 2012, firefighters arrived to find fire blowing out one unit of a strip mall, located at 6600 North Van Nuys Boulevard. Waves of additional firefighters were requested.

Extensive amounts of smoke could be seen for miles as it lingered low to the ground due to a heavy marine layer and slowly pushed south by light winds.

The structure located was of older construction with a conventional roof, parapet, and a common attic space. The open area under the roof allowed fire to rapidly spread across the tops of three business before hitting large division walls, halting the advancement of the flames.

Shortly into the extended battle, firefighters switched into a defensive attack. Truck Companies quickly finished cutting holes on the roof with chainsaws. Fire blew through the roof forcing firefighters to rapidly exit. Firefighters on the ground used large 2 1/2" hose-lines along with ladder pipe operations, where copious amounts of water was sprayed from the end of extended aerial ladder trucks, capable of 2000 gallons per minute, into the structure.

Three separate stores were damaged, doing business as: First Bargin Center, Birrieria Luita, and El Pantalon.

The blaze was fully extinguished in one hour and 53 minutes before any adjacent buildings were damaged.

Two firefighters received minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals in fair condition.

The dollar loss is still being tabulated and the cause is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E239 T39 E81 E102 E288 E88 T88 RA88 RA889 EM14 BC10 BC14 E100 E39 RA39 E289 E89 T89 E7 E90 RA100 E83 RA83 E278 T78 E298 T98 E273 T73 DC3 SQ21 EM15 EM17 EM9 BC12 UR88 BC5 AR2 RT83 EA1 RM2 E87 E60 E93 E287 T87 E305 T105 E237 T37 BC17 BC18 AR23 RA7 RA99 RA60 MD1

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fast-Moving Fire Erupts in Sherman Oaks Financial Firm

SHERMAN OAKS - A dramatic fire on Tuesday evening did damage to the mixed-use property of a Sherman Oaks financial firm, but firefighters soon tamed the flames without injury.

The fire was reported at 9:23 PM on December 27, 2011 at 15245 Greenleaf Street in Sherman Oaks, a one-story residential property converted for collateral business use.

Firefighters forced entry and aggressively attacked the blaze with handlines, as colleagues sought to halt the horizontal spread of fire through strategic ventilation of the steeply pitched roof.

The blaze quickly escalated to a greater alarm, bringing 86 Los Angeles Firefighters to battle the heavy flames within the attic, which blossomed into the sky as the roof of the 2,353 square-foot building gave way.

The relentless effort of LAFD personnel prevented the fire from extending to nearby homes in the largely residential neighborhood. The flames were confined within the building of fire origin and extinguished in just 37 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters stayed well into the early morning hours assisting the business owner by salvaging important business documents and client tax records. Fire loss to Entertainment Financial Services is still being tabulated. The precise cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

Dispatched Units: E88 T88 E288 RA88 E83 RA83 E109 E239 T39 EM14 BC10 BC14 E100 T89 E289 DC3 E93 SQ21 BC9 E39 E290 T90 EM17 UR88 E89 RA889 T27 E227 BC5 RA39 AR2

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Accident Involving Transport Van Sends Senior Passengers to Hospital

At approximately 9:00 am this morning, on the 6600 block of North Wilbur Avenue in Reseda, a passenger van from the Genesis Adult Day Health Care Facility was involved in a traffic collision with a single passenger auto. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but several of the passengers, all of which were seniors (ages ranging 65 - 80 years old) had various complaints of minor aches and pains.

When approximately 50 LAFD Firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Jeffery Mottram, had finished processing the scene, this mid-morning collision had produced a total of 15 patients. Eight of those patients were treated and transported to local hospitals for further evaluation. Seven others were treated and released at the scene. The driver of the other involved auto was one of those transported in fair condition with minor injuries.

Battalion Chief Ray Gomez was in charge of the medical component of this incident, where at one point, he managed 10 rescue ambulances that had been ordered, anticipating both a large number of patients and extensive injuries. Fortunately, not all resources were needed.

The damage to the involved vehicles was still being assessed and the cause of the accident is under investigation.

Dispatched Units: E273 T73 E93 RA93 RA909 E293 T93 E100 RA100 E104 RA104 RA84 RA72 RA105 RA906 RA818 RA898 EM17 EM15 EM14 BC10 DC3

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Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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House Fire Claims 1 Life in Beverly Glen/Bel Air

On Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 3:35 AM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 62 Firefighters along with Members from Department of Water & Power, and 1 Crisis Response Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Potter responded to a Structure Fire at 2171 North Basil Lane in the Beverly Glen/Bel Air area.

Firefighters made their way up narrow windy roads to find a two-story Single Family Dwelling well involved in fire. Additional resources were immediately requested to assist in battling the intense flames and to protect near by hillside homes. Fire shot through the roof, self ventilating the structure and causing electrical power lines to fall.

Sadly, during a Search and Rescue of the 1,440 square-foot home, a 79 year-old female was located in an upstairs master-bedroom and was determined deceased. Also a 50 year-old male was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Firefighters successfully extinguished the flames in just 25 minutes. In examining the fire's aftermath, there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm within the residence. There were no window bars or security doors present to impair egress, and the 53-year old residence was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the deceased woman, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of her death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

The cause of early morning blaze is under active investigation and monetary loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Battle Commercial Building Fire in West Van Nuys

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 8:01 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 85 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Stephen Ruda responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 7705 Densmore Avenue in West Van Nuys.

The first arriving Firefighters found a 100' x 100' one-story Commercial building with one unit well involved in flames. An assertive Fire Attack was initiated as flames began burning through the roof. Upon his arrival Chief Ruda performed a rapid size-up and determined that additional Firefighters would be needed to battle the intense blaze.

As hand lines were aggressively deployed in an interior attack, a Strip Ventilation technique was performed by roof division companies with chain saws to release hot gases and smoke. With a well coordinated and swift attack, Firefighters began to get a handle on the blaze. Their relentless effort and teamwork contained the flames to only one unit.

A knockdown was obtained in 27 minutes before anyone was injured. The cause of the evening fire was determined accidental and started via spontaneous combustion from oily rags left in a plastic trash container. The Dollar loss is estimated at $100,000 ($50,000 structure and $50,000 contents).

Submitted by Cecil Manresa & Erik Scott, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Demonstrates their Preparedness for Earthquakes & Radiation Incidents

On Friday, May 6, 2011, The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Urban Search & Rescue Team will be conducting a disaster mobilization exercise that will task emergency responders during an Earthquake scenario. This Urban Search & Rescue team, formally known as California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1), will utilize Hazardous Materials Squads, Rescue and K-9 teams and work in a simulated earthquake environment that has been contaminated by radiation.


CA-TF1 is an elite Urban Search & Rescue team, comprised of two 80-member teams of men and women who are highly trained to conduct search and rescue operations in the most extreme conditions. They have responded across the nation to catastrophic events such as New York City for the 9-11 attacks, Salt Lake City for the 2002 winter Olympic games, the Gulf coast for both Hurricane’s Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. CA-TF1’s Canine team also responded to the Oklahoma City bombing.


CA-TF1 would like to invite members of the media to learn more about this team and how LAFD is prepared. The Media will be given direct access to rescue locations for filming and interviews starting at 6:30a.m. The scheduled Press Conference will take place at 08:00 a.m.

Friday, May 6, 2011 6:30 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

Location: LAFD US&R Building

5101 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91403

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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