LAFD Battles North Hills Structure Fire that Claims Man's Life

NORTH HILLS WEST - Los Angeles Firefighters battled a fully involved house fire that claimed the life of one occupant and a pet dog on August 8, 2013.

Just after 9:00 pm the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to a Structure Fire at 16336 Plummer Street, and while en-route they could see a large plume of smoke rising. They arrived on scene to find a one-story Single Family Dwelling fully involved in fire with flames blowing out of the front windows. Additional companies were immediately requested.

Fire attack teams entered the inferno through the front door and performed fire suppression and rescue efforts through the 1,344 square-foot home. Additional firefighters cut ventilation holes in the roof to release super heated gases. Much of the ceiling, which was tongue and groove without attic space above, burned through. A trailer and motor home in the backyard were damaged by the flames and a neighboring house to the west was exposed to flame and heat. Firefighters faced additional concerns of downed live power lines that could be seen arcing in the rear of the structure. DWP was requested to assist.

During the conclusion of fire attack, firefighters discovered the remains of an adult male significantly burned in the dining room of the structure. Beyond medical help, he was declared deceased at the scene. A pet dog was also found beyond help in the master bedroom. No other injuries were reported.

A well coordinated attack by a total of 52 firefighters, all under the command of Battalion Chief Brian Schultz, fully extinguished the flames in just 23 minutes.

It was not readily known if the home was fitted with functional smoke alarms. There were no security doors or window security bars to impede the man's egress. However, the home was described as pack rat conditions due to excessive storage inside. The 58-year old dwelling was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the deceased man to include his age, as well as the cause, time and manner of his death, will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $300,000 ($250,000 structure and $50,000 contents). The cause of the evening blaze remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section.

Dispatched Units: E287 T87 E290 E90 T90 E275 T75 RA75 E7 RA70 EM15 BC12 BC10 E70 E103 E298 T98 AR2 AR7 AR23

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Handles Northridge Chemical Spill that Sends Three to the Hospital

NORTHRIDGE - Los Angeles Firefighter/Paramedics (LAFD) evaluated 21 patients Monday after a small chemical spill at a large two-story medical technology building, doing business as Metronic.

On July 22, 2013 the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to 18000 Devonshire Street at 12:49 p.m., where they found under a gallon of butyl acetate a polyimide rinse spilled on the first floor. The entire building was evacuated.

Two workers came in contact with the product and took themselves to the hospital prior to the LAFD arriving on scene. A total of 21 workers were carefully evaluated by firefighter/paramedics for non-life threatening complaints, and three were transported to the hospital in minor distress due to respiratory irritation.

A total of 57 firefighters including a LAFD Hazardous Material Team, all under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, quickly and meticulously handled the incident. Firefighters remained on scene for nearly three hours and patiently escorted workers back inside the building to gain personal items.

The LA County Health Haz-Mat performed the cleanup and Cal/OSHA was notified.

Dispatched Units: E70 E87 SQ87 T87 E287 RA87 RA18 JT3 JT5 E103 E107 RA107 RA75 EM15 EM10 BC15 HU88 RA878 E98 DC3 RA828 RA70 RA73 EM17

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Small Plane Crashes on Cal State Northridge Campus

NORTHRIDGE - The crash of a small single-engine plane attempting to make an emergency landing on a college athletic field Sunday afternoon, sent the plane's two occupants to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Los Angeles Fire Department received an emergency call from the Control Tower at Van Nuys Airport at 3:09 PM on November 25, 2012, reporting a small aircraft down on the campus of California State University Northridge (CSUN), 2.5 miles northwest of the airport.

Aviation authorities stated the Cessna 206, a six-seat single engine airplane with two persons aboard, was traveling from Novato, California to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, when an in-flight emergency was declared.

Witnesses describe the pilot attempting to land the ailing aircraft on the athletic fields that occupy the northeast section of CSUN's South Campus. The plane quickly traversed the fields, before striking a chain link fence and a tree, which sheared the Cessna's left wing and caused the craft to overturn. Amazingly, there were no injuries on the ground, and no campus structures damaged. Thick smoke seen as the airplane came to a rest soon dissipated, and what was initially believed to be a small fire, may have simply been burning oil.

Several bystanders came to the immediate aid of the male pilot and female passenger, assisting them from the wreckage. The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived quickly to abate the fire hazard and provide medical care to the pilot and passenger, who were described as in fair condition with non-life threatening injuries. The two were taken by LAFD ambulance to an area hospital.

The Fire Department remained on-site for more than four hours to assure campus safety, minimize environmental harm and preserve the scene for a coordinated investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

Dispatched Units: E70 RA70 E103 E287 T87 E87 T73 E273 RA104 HR56 EM15 BC15 UR88 DC3 H8

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Pull Dead Body from Canoga Park Apartment Fire

CANOGA PARK - Los Angeles Firefighters quickly extinguished an apartment fire, where an adult female was found dead.

Just before 3:00 pm on November 13, 2012, firefighters responded to a Structure Fire at 6331 Glade Avenue. A medium amount of black smoke was billowing out of one unit on the third floor of a very large three-story center hallway apartment complex.

First arriving firefighters whom were familiar with the location, strategically drove down a back U-shaped drive way, allowing for quick access to the involved unit. Firefighters performed a drop-bag operation to lift hose-lines to the third floor and rapidly extinguish the flames, while colleagues raised 35' ladders and climbed to the roof.

After an immediate Search & Rescue operation, a 46 year-old female was located sitting on the ground against a mattress, in the small studio apartment. Firefighters pulled her out of the smoke filled room, however, sadly she was determined dead on scene.

A total of 45 firefighters, under the direction of Battalion Chief Wes Elder, extinguished the fire in just 13 minutes, confining it to the unit of origin.

There were no security doors, window bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede the woman from exiting the home.

A legally required smoke alarm was located, however it's functional status could not be immediately determined. The 42 year-old apartment was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

The cause remains under active investigation by LAFD's Arson Section, however there is no suspicious circumstances noted. The estimated dollar loss is $15,000 ($10,000 structure & $5,000 contents).

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.

Dispatched Units: E105 T105 RA105 E84 E95 E106 RA96 E293 T93 EM14 BC15 BC14 E10 EM10 E305 AR2 AR23 AR11 RA105

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Late-Night Arson Fire Brings Heavy LAFD Response

RESEDA - The Los Angeles Fire Department battled a stubborn blaze late, last night in a one-story commercial building. The fire, described initially as suspicious - and later confirmed as arson, brought well over 100 Firefighters to the scene. No one was injured.

At 11:34 pm, on Thursday, November 10, 2011, Los Angeles Firefighters responded to 18715 West Sherman Way, where they found a 150' x 150' single-story, strip mall with heavy fire and smoke pouring from the Padco Brake & Parts storefront. With additional resources responding, Firefighters were quick to force-entry into each of the three occupancies at the address and worked aggressively to prevent the fire from spreading.

With one large attic space, common to all three businesses, the fire had the potential to sweep through the entire commercial strip. The 134 Firefighters on-scene managed to confine the tough fire to just the one unit and the attic, but not before experiencing a partial roof collapse. The neighboring businesses did sustain some smoke and water damage. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, as Firefighters fully-extinguished this blaze in one hour and 24 minutes.

A thorough and on-going investigation by the LAFD's Arson Counter-Terrorism Section has determined this an "Arson Fire." Anyone with information that may assist the investigative efforts is asked to please contact the Arson Counter-Terrorism Section at (213) 893-9800. The dollar-loss estimates are not yet available.

Dispatched Units:
E273 T73 E100 RA100 E93 T93 E293 E103 RA103 EM15 BC15 BC17 E72 E104 E70 T90 E290 E305 T105 DC3 SQ21 EM17 BC12 T88 E288 UR88 RA88 T89 E289 BC10 E287 T87 E28 E90 E296 T96 T39 E239 RT83 RA909 E260 T60 E60 E229 T29 E98 AR2 EA1


Submitted by Matt Spence & Erik Scott, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Teens Rescued From Rocky Chatsworth Cliff by Los Angeles Firefighters

CHATSWORTH - A pair of teenagers were safely removed from a perilous cliff in the northwest San Fernando Valley in a nearly two-hour effort by Los Angeles Firefighters.

Sixty-eight Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - including two LAFD helicopters and an Urban Search and Rescue Team, were summoned at 6:58 P.M. on Tuesday August 16, 2011, to 10870 North Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Chatsworth, where witnesses reported a pair of teen males stranded on a cliff at Stoney Point, a municipal park popular with hikers and revered by climbing enthusiasts.


The local teens, both 18 years-old, reportedly separated from a group of friends in the rugged terrain, choosing a hillside path that led them to be trapped at dusk in a narrow and rocky recess more than 200 feet above the ground, making a helicopter-based rescue difficult.

Arriving quickly by ground and air, Los Angeles Firefighters hiked up steep and winding trails at sunset as an LAFD command helicopter lit their way to the top of the mountain with a 30 million candlepower spotlight. A second LAFD air ambulance helicopter, configured for hoist operations hovered nearby; as one of the first-arriving firefighters rappelled 50 feet down the sheer cliff to assess and prepare the young men both physically and mentally for rescue.

Confirming the teens to be uninjured - and explaining what lied ahead, the first firefighter was soon joined by a member of LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue unit, who separately placed each boy in a harness for the accompanied descent down the cliff, where the young men were reunited safely with friends and a parent.

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Dispatched Units: E296 T96 RH114 E107 RA107 H0C H0E UR88 HR56 EM17 BC15 BC17 E89 T27 E227 E70 H1 H6 E27 UR27 T88 E288 E88 EM15 RA70 EL72 E72 E90

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Near-Drowning of San Fernando Valley Siblings Highlights Water Danger

GRANADA HILLS - Two young children are fighting for survival at a Mission Hills hospital after nearly-drowning in the backyard pool of their Knollwood area home in the north San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 4:42PM on Sunday, August 14, 2011 to 12055 Susan Drive in Granada Hills, where they found the lifeless body of a 2 1/2 year-old boy and his barely breathing triplet sister, who had moments earlier been rescued by their mother from the family's swimming pool.

According to witnesses, the mother had left the boy and girl playing together in a room within the large two-story residence, as she went to check on the third triplet and 7 year old sibling in another part of the home.

After an unspecified period, the mother returned to seek the boy and girl and determined them missing. A brief search of the premises led her to the swimming pool, where she discovered and rescued the submersed pair.

Two teams of LAFD Paramedics worked exhaustively and at the pinnacle of their skill to resuscitate the children. In the few minutes it took to arrive by ambulance at nearby Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, the responders had improved the girl's condition and restored the boy's pulse - giving them a fighting chance of survival, though both remained in critical condition.

With a focus on drowning prevention, the Los Angeles Fire Department was quick to stress the importance of its Pool Safely campaign, while highlighting the effectiveness of bystander poolside CPR that recently saved the life of another San Fernando Valley child.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Illegal Fireworks Suspected Following Chatsworth Blaze

CHATSWORTH - A grass fire on Independence Day in the northwest San Fernando Valley reported to have injured one or more persons, may have been sparked by illegal fireworks.

Fifty-five Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - including four LAFD helicopters, were summoned at 9:32 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011, to 10619 Andora Avenue in Chatsworth, where residents reported a grass fire at nearby Stoney Point, an iconic landmark and municipal park popular with hikers and revered by climbing enthusiasts.

According to witnesses, a thunderous explosion occurred before fire erupted near the site's massive outcroppings. Arriving quickly by ground and air, Los Angeles Firefighters hiked up steep and winding trails in the darkness to confine the wildfire, as LAFD helicopters flanked the blaze that scorched less than a half-acre of tinder-dry brush in the 43 minutes it took to fully extinguish the flames.

Despite an exhaustive search of rugged terrain across the 76-acre site nestled between the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, firefighters were unable to find one or more persons that a witness said were burned in the fire. In seeking the those injured, firefighters discovered and took custody of a large cache of fireworks found atop the towering cliffs.

The specific cause of the blaze remains part of an active investigation by Los Angeles Police and Fire Department Investigators. Those with information about the event are asked to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213) 485-6095.


Dispatched Units: E107 E296 E87 T96 BC14 E496 BC15 E72 H4 H6 H1 H3 E106 E104 E103 BP8 AR2 RP88

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighter Injured Battling Flames in Chatsworth

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 12:15 AM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 LAFD Helicopter, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 118 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 9654 Cozycroft Avenue in Chatsworth.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire through the roof above a pair of centrally located units that housed one of several businesses in a single-story eight-unit 160' x 300' industrial building.

Forcing entry through rolling steel doors of the wholesale clock firm involved in fire, scores of firefighters worked in unison to swiftly salvage key business records and computer equipment from the office, as their colleagues nearby held advancing flames at bay.

The offensive attack on the fire, accompanied by strategic vertical ventilation, continued unabated for more than 20 minutes, until the roof became untenable and portions of the structure began to give way.

 
A skillful transition to defensive operations prevented flames from spreading beyond the one business, as large hosestreams - including those from aerial ladders, were brought to bear against the inferno. The well-coordinated firefighting effort prevented the blaze from causing direct damage to a gymnastic club to the south or a metalworking firm to the north.

The flames were brought under control in just 63 minutes.

During the assault on the flames, one Los Angeles Firefighter sustained painful and potentially debilitating 2nd-degree burns to as much as nine-percent of his body, including hands and chest. He was taken in fair condition by LAFD ambulance to West Hills Hospital, home of the Grossman Burn Center, where he was treated in the Emergency Room and released to remain off-duty.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Bey-Berk International a timepiece wholesaler, is still being tabulated.

The cause of this midnight blaze remains under active investigation.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighter Injured While Battling Blaze in Granada Hills

On Monday, April 18, 2011 at 6:06 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 39 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Robert Willcox responded to a Structure Fire with Firefighter Injury at 11065 North Balboa Boulevard in Granada Hills.

The first Firefighter on-scene started his work day a little early, as he was driving to his Fire Station from home, he noticed smoke billowing out of a one-story 100' x 50' Commercial Strip Mall. He immediately contacted 9-1-1, provided a size-up, and assured no one was inside by speaking with a worker that arrived just seconds prior.


As additional Firefighters arrived and made entry into the structure, black smoke was banked down within one foot of the floor. Teams of Firefighters swiftly extended ground ladders to the roof of the 9,300 square-foot, multi unit structure to perform strategic vertical-ventilation with chainsaws, as their colleagues deployed hose-lines within the building to do battle with the flames.


One Firefighter made his way up a ladder to the conventional flat roof, and as he climbed down a four-foot parapet, he fell and seriously injured his left knee. His fellow Firefighters quickly came to his aid and it was deemed best to remove him from the roof via a hoist operation. An Aerial truck raised its ladder to the roof with a specialized basket attached to bottom of it, of which the injured Firefighter was placed inside and lowered to safety. The wounded Firefighter was transported to Holy Cross hospital where he was later released and will remain off-duty until healed.


The fire, described at "hot and smoldering", was confined to just one unit doing business as Chile's Mexican Food restaurant. The flames were fully extinguished in just 13 minutes, before any civilians were injured. The 52 year-old non-fire sprinklered building was equipped with properly working smoke alarms.


Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $50,000 ($20,000 structure & $30,000 contents). The cause of the blaze was determined electrical in nature, and may be attributed to an overloaded electrical power strip found under a counter.



Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Hazmat Team Stems Gas Leak in Northridge

On Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 3:04 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 33 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Jose S-Cronenbold, responded to a Hazardous Materials Investigation at 8840 Vanalden Avenue in Northridge.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly in response to an "alarm ringing" notification from a security company, to declare liquefied natural gas vapor leaking from atop a 12,000 gallon vessel at a municipal fleet refueling and parking facility.

The findings escalated the incident to a Hazardous Materials Investigation, bringing additional LAFD personnel to to scene, including the Department's closest Hazardous Materials Task Force.

Establishing a perimeter and Command Post upwind from the leak, first-arriving firefighters determined the vapor to be dissipating vertically without imminent or escalating hazard.

The leaking container, one of three similarly sized upright and adjacent cylinders within the City of Los Angeles facility in an industrial neighborhood, had reportedly been in use after having been filled within the previous 2 days.

Working closely with the Plant Manager who had been summoned to the scene, LAFD HazMat experts deftly manipulated one or more valves adjacent to the tank to stem the vapor flow within 2 hours of arrival.

No injuries were reported.

Pursuant of protocol, the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department will handle the investigation to conclusion.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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