Dog Dies in Greater Alarm Fire at Los Angeles Confetti Manufacturer

CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT - A Los Angeles firm that bills itself as the largest manufacturer and seller of confetti in the world, was the site of a greater alarm fire Saturday night, that took the life of a beloved pet dog and left the business in shambles.

Summoned by a passerby at 7:48 PM on July 13, 2013, the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived quickly at 1520 East 15th Street, to discover fire showing from a 40' x 100' two-story commercial building.

Forcing entry into the secured structure, firefighters discovered well-entrenched flames on the second floor of the business which housed manufacturing and dense storage of plastic confetti. Nearly untenable conditions held LAFD crews at a mezzanine - albeit briefly, as teams of firefighters atop the building used chainsaws to open the roof and release thick smoke and oppressive heat, allowing the offensive effort to continue.

Eight-six firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Greg Gibson held flames within the heavily damaged building and extinguished the fire in just 40 minutes. The remains of a pet dog were later discovered in debris within the non-fire sprinklered structure.

No human injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Z-Barten Productions, operators of Confetti.com, is estimated to be at least $300,000 ($200,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E17 E85 RA814 T9 RA10 EM13 BC1 E9 E210 T10 DC1 RA209 E10 E15 E221 T21 E203 T3 EM9 BC11 BC13 E3 UR3 RA3 RA803 T27 E227 UR88 BC5 EA1 AR1

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Destroys Fabric Wholesale Firm in Downtown L.A.

LOS ANGELES - More than 130 Los Angeles Firefighters fiercely battled flames early Thursday morning, when a major emergency fire erupted in a textile firm in downtown L.A.'s Warehouse District.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified of the blaze at 2:07 AM on April 18, 2013 by Los Angeles Police Officers on patrol, who noted fire within a fabric business at 710 East 7th Street.

Firefighters arrived quickly and forced entry to find heavy fire deep within the building laden with flammable products. An aggressive interior effort to subdue flames was made possible by LAFD crews opening the roof with chainsaws to release intense heat, smoke and flame.

The twenty minute interior offensive under the guidance of Assistant Chief Emile Mack was successful in saving the business office - before a severe structural compromise of the rest of the building forced a transition to defensive tactics, with the exterior use of heavy streams. The strongly held defensive posture of 133 firefighters prevented flames from spreading to nearby businesses.

The fire was controlled in just 92 minutes, as firefighters again entered the heavily damaged building to complete their task. Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters - including some using Fire Department bulldozers, ultimately labored for more than eighteen hours to salvage essential belongings and assure complete ember extinguishment among tons of stacked and rack mounted fabric.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Sharp Fabric is still being tabulated. The cause of the early morning inferno remains undetermined.

Dispatched Units: E9 T9 RA809 RA209 E4 E10 T10 E210 SQ21 EM1 BC1 BC11 E15 E17 E3 T3 E203 DC1 E211 T11 EM11 BC13 T27 E227 E27 UR27 RA27 RA827 UR88 BC5 RA900 E2 E202 T2 EA1 RA10 RA858 RT59 AR1 DT1 TP2 TP3 LD1 LD2 DT2 DT3 EA1 T3 E203 E12 E3 T2 E202

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Illegally Configured Home Cooking System Sparks Boyle Heights Blaze, Displacing 12

BOYLE HEIGHTS - A fast-moving non-injury fire in a two story residential fourplex caused more than a quarter-million dollars in damage, leaving 12 persons homeless early Wednesday morning.

The fire at 156 South Soto Street in Boyle Heights was reported at 3:44 AM on April 10, 2013, bringing the swift response of 34 Los Angeles Firefighters, who arrived to find a fire that had quickly extended from the rear of the structure to take strong hold of the attic.

LAFD crews held the bulk of flames within the attic, fully extinguishing the stubborn fire in just 35 minutes without injury. Twelve residents displaced by the flames were offered charitable and emotional assistance on-site by Disaster Action Team volunteers from the American Red Cross.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $280,000 ($200,000 structure & $80,000 contents). The blaze was reportedly sparked by an illegal cooking configuration involving propane cylinders.

Dispatched Units: E202 E2 T2 RA2 E25 RA25 EM1 BC1 E9 E4 T9 DC1

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Smoke Alarms Absent in Boyle Heights Fire that Displaces 17

BOYLE HEIGHTS - Seventeen residents of an eastside duplex were displaced by a raging fire Wednesday morning, that sent one man to the hospital.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 6:15 AM on February 13, 2013, to 1901 East Pennsylvania Avenue in Boyle Heights. Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire within the kitchen and hallway of a first floor unit in a two-story residential duplex.


Thirty-nine firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Phillip Fligiel skillfully confined the fire near the area of origin, extinguishing the flames in just 17 minutes. One male resident who suffered smoke exposure was taken to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Firefighters expressed clear amazement that there were no additional injuries or loss of life, as the building was not equipped with smoke alarms as required by law.

Monetary loss from the fire - which rendered the building temporarily untenable, was limited to $30,000 ($25,000 structure & $5,000 contents). Nine residents of the downstairs apartment, and eight living upstairs were offered interim housing assistance by the American Red Cross.

The cause of the predawn fire is considered accidental, and attributed to the improper storage of combustible items near a water heater.

Dispatched Units: E2 T2 E202 RA2 E4 RA804 EM1 BC1 E9 RA4 E25 T10 E210

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Man Found Dead as Firefighters Extinguish Boyle Heights Blaze

BOYLE HEIGHTS - Los Angeles Firefighters battling flames at a business site early Monday morning, discovered the body of a man as they extinguished the blaze, which has been described as suspicious.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 12:09 AM on February 4, 2013 and arrived quickly at 3521 East Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights to find fire showing from a combination one- and two-story office type building.


Eighty firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Greg Gibson forced entry into the building to mount a fierce assault on intense flames, aided greatly by strategic vertical ventilation performed by rooftop colleagues. While advancing hoselines through the burning building, firefighters discovered a lifeless 54-year old man. Proving to be beyond medical assistance, he was declared dead at the scene.

The firefight continued unabated as LAFD crews tackled stubborn flames, which were brought fully under control in just 41 minutes. No other injuries were reported.

A positive identification of the deceased man, 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 has been estimated at $60,000 ($45,000 structure & $15,000 contents). The cause and circumstances surrounding the blaze remain the focus of a joint investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section.

Dispatched Units: E25 RA25 E202 E2 T2 RA2 E17 T9 EM1 BC1 BC11 E9 DC1 T10 E210 E11 AR1 EA1 AR11 E21 T26 E226 E25 T2 E202 E25

[ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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L.A. Firefighters Battle Fire In Downtown Party Supply Store

LOS ANGELES – More than ninety Los Angeles Firefighters battled a Greater Alarm Structure Fire in an open air market, in the Produce District of downtown Los Angeles.

On Sunday, February 03, 2013 at 7:09 PM, firefighters were called to 853 South Central Avenue. The LAFD arrived quickly to find a 20’ x 30’ unit in a two story concrete, commercial building with fire through the roof.

Fire companies made a quick and aggressive interior attack with large diameter hose lines, while colleagues preformed vertical ventilation. The rapid and vigorous fire attack limited the blaze to the involved party supply store and prevented the spread of fire to adjacent buildings. A total of 93 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Greg Gibson, fully extinguished the flames in just 18 minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for over 3 hours to perform a thorough overhaul and salvage contents of the building. There were no injuries.
 
Loss from the fire was limited to $50,000 ($35,000 structure & $15,000 contents). Though the blaze was determined to have started outside and spread into the building, the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section.

Dispatched Units: E9 T9 RA9 E17 RA17 E210 E10 T10 SQ21 EM1 BC1 BC11 E15 E14 E4 E203 T3 DC1 E211 T11 EM11 BC13 T27 E227 E27 UR27 RA27 UR88 BC5 RA209 AR1

[ photos ]

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Elderly Couple Struggle to Survive Boyle Heights House Fire

BOYLE HEIGHTS - Despite a valiant rescue effort by Good Samaritans, and the quick response of Los Angeles Firefighters, an elderly man and woman were hospitalized in grave condition Thursday morning, after an accidental fire swept through their home.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 9:00 AM on January 10, 2013 to 3136 East Malabar Street, where they found a 1,400 square foot one-story home fully involved with fire.


A pair of men, who had just taken their children to adjacent Malabar Elementary School, ran to the scene and forced entry to the rear of the home, kicking a door to begin rescue of a non-breathing 70 year-old woman. The LAFD arrived to complete the effort and provide advanced medical care for the lifeless resident.

Despite oppressive fire conditions fed by variable wind, firefighters relentlessly searched the burning building to find and rescue the woman's non-breathing 90 year old spouse. He was swiftly provided care by a separate team of LAFD Paramedics, and the two were soon transported in 'grave' condition to nearby hospitals.

Sixty Los Angeles Firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Phillip Fligiel, prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent homes or the nearby school. They fully extinguished the flames in just 21 minutes. Two firefighters suffered smoke exposure due to suddenly shifting winds. They were medically evaluated at the scene before being returned to duty. No other injuries were reported.

A post-fire investigation found no evidence of functional smoke alarms within the home, and further determined that window security bars were not equipped with mandated emergency escape quick-release systems. A front door security screen was found to be secured inappropriately with a padlock, and myriad electrical hazards, including overloaded circuits, improperly used extension cords and portable space heaters were found throughout the 107 year-old wood frame home, which was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

Monetary loss from the fire - which destroyed the home, is still being tabulated. Following a detailed examination of the scene, LAFD Investigators resolutely determined there were no suspicious circumstances. The specific cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Dispatched Units: E2 E25 RA25 RA1 T3 E203 EM1 BC1 E9 E16 T9 T2 E202 RA17 RA9 EM13 AR1 DC1 EM3 AR23 AR39 AR12 AR17 E203 T3

[ video (embed above) ] [ video ] [ video ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Cooking Fire in Cal State College Dorm Burns 5 Women, 2 Critically

EL SERENO - Five young women suffered burns while cooking in a Cal State L.A. College dorm kitchen, located at at 5425 East Dobbs Street. Just after 8:00 PM, on November 2, 2012, three college students and two friends were cooking a large amount of fried food when the cooking oil caught fire and flashed, splattering the women, causing burns.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived at the dorm, located in a large two-story apartment complex, to find the fire quickly burned itself out, leaving behind residual black smoke & soot around the stove, along with slight charring above it. 

After ensuring the scene was safe, firefighters began rapidly treating the most critical of the five burn victims, whom ranged from 18 to 24 years-old. The severity of burns range from slight 1st degree to significant 2nd degree burns covering 20% of the body.

Over 45 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Al Ward, quickly handled the incident. Due to the number injured, LAFD Arson Investigators along with the Cal State Police Department are performing an investigation.

Dispatched Units: E16 RA1 E2 T2 E202 RA844 EM1 BC2 E12 T1 E201 RA1 RA804 RA25 EM11 AR1 RA844 RA4 RA25 EM1

The Los Angeles Fire Department realizes the kitchen is a frequent place for families and friends to spend time together, but remind that it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house, especially if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors.

Cooking equipment, most often a range or stove-top, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States.

Safe Cooking Tips

It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave items that can catch fire, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for the children, practicing safe cooking behaviors will help keep you and your family safe.

 

Watch What You Heat
 

• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
• Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.

Keep Things That Can Catch Fire and Heat Sources Apart
 

• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains - away from your stove-top.
• Keep the stove-top, burners, and oven clean.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby counter-tops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.

Prevent Scalds and Burns
 

• To prevent spills due to overturn of appliances containing hot food or liquids, use the back burner when possible and/or turn pot handles away from the stove's edge. All appliance cords need to be kept coiled and away from counter edges.
• Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food from ovens, microwave ovens, or stove-tops. Never use wet oven mitts or potholders as they can cause scald burns.
• Replace old or worn oven mitts.
• Treat a burn right away, putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for 3 to 5 minutes. If the burn is bigger than your fist or if you have any questions about how to treat it, seek medical attention right away.

Remember, cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, so please do so safely. 
(SAFETY VIDEO)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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House Fire Claims Life of Man in Glassell Park

GLASSELL PARK -  An adult male was found deceased in a fire that destroyed a house on the rear of a hillside lot in Glassell Park. The early morning fire was quickly extinguished by the Los Angeles Fire Department.


Just after 1:00 AM, on July 24, 2012, Los Angeles Firefighters were summoned to 3844 Aguilar Street, to find a two-story hillside residence, with a 464 square-foot detached home in the rear, that was fully involved in fire.

Firefighters worked aggressively to extinguish the intense flames consuming the wood frame constructed rear home with shiplap siding. Flames rapidly spread to a carport, shed and damaged a neighboring by residence to the East.

Due to the swift work of 52 firefighters, under the direction of Battalion Chief Rudy Hill, the blaze was extinguished in just 20 minutes.

Sadly, a 33 year-old male was found without vital signs of life, in the bathtub of the rear structure.

In examining the fire's aftermath, it was not immediately known if there were functional smoke alarms. There were no window bars, security doors, or obvious non-fire factors to impede the victim from exiting the home. The residence was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

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

The cause of the early morning blaze is under active investigation by LAFD's Arson Section and LAPD. While the rear structure appears to be a complete loss, the estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E55 RA55 E250 T50 RA850 E42 EM1 BC2 E44 E12 T12 E212 RA56 E201 T1 E220 T20 DC1 SQ21 BC1 AR1 AR36 AR3 AR23 AR39 E3

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Electrical Fire Strikes South Boyle Heights Metalworking Shop

SOUTH BOYLE HEIGHTS - A tenacious effort by one hundred firefighters spared the bulk of a South Boyle Heights metalworking shop on Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 8:23 PM on June 19, 2012, to find fire through the roof of a 75' x 40' one-story industrial building at 1465 South Lorena Street in South Boyle heights, which housed multiple metalcrafting businesses under a single metal roof supported by wood-frame and stucco walls.

Despite intense flames reaching skyward and threatening adjacent firms, Los Angeles and City of Vernon firefighters worked side-by-side to skilfully confine the greater alarm blaze to the structure of fire origin, preventing it from consuming any more than one-third of the building.

The fire was extinguished in just 45 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

Fire loss has been estimated at $100,000 ($75,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of the blaze was determined to be an electrical issue near an interior power panel.

Dispatched Units: E2 T2 E202 RA2 E9 T9 RA9 E14 EM1 BC1 BC11 E10 E25 E17 E4 E210 T10 DC1 SQ21 E201 T1 EM13 BC2 UR3 T27 E227 E27 RA27 UR88 BC5 RA3 RA803 T3 E203

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Limits Damage to $70K at South Boyle Heights Textile Firm

SOUTH BOYLE HEIGHTS - It took the combined skill of 94 Los Angeles Firefighters less than thirty minutes to extinguish an accidental fire in a South Boyle Heights textile firm on Thursday.

The fire was reported at 12:36 PM on December 22, 2011 at 3603 East Olympic Boulevard, where firefighters discovered well-entrenched flames within a 40' x 80' two-story textile storage facility.

Forcing entry into the closed business - nestled among a row of similar buildings, firefighters utilized strategic vertical ventilation and sheer tenacity to hold the flames to the second floor and prevent fire spread beyond the premises.

The blaze was extinguished in just 29 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

Loss to Green Castle Textile was limited to $70,000 ($50,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The fire is categorized as accidental, and attributed to an energized lamp falling onto combustible carpeting within a centrally located photo booth on the firm's second floor.

Dispatched Units: E25 RA25 E17 E2 T9 RA809 E201 T1 EM9 BC1 BC11 E9 E26 E202 T2 E4 E221 T21 SQ21 DC2 EM2 BC2 T3 E203 UR3 RA3 RA803 E3 UR88 BC5 EA1 AR1 AR2

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Early Morning Fire Rips Commercial Property in El Sereno

EL SERENO - A large fire erupted at a commercial property in the early morning hours today and brought 180 Firefighters to the scene.

At 1:30 am on Friday, December 2, 2011, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a large "Outside Fire" at 5339 East Valley Boulevard near El Sereno. The property spanned nearly three blocks in length and hosted several businesses, all of which were in jeopardy of being exposed to the blaze. Among those structures, was an approximate 200' x 400' commercial building with a very significant fire load. First arriving Firefighters encountered downed power lines and a large volume of fire, then immediately requested additional resources for assistance.


At the center of this property was an open yard, where several tractor-trailers, most of which were holding highly combustible materials, were parked along with other heavy equipment. Together, these vehicles provided most of the fuel for this "Major Emergency" Incident. Firefighters did an outstanding job of preventing the blaze from spreading into any of the adjacent businesses on the property. One structure did sustain some fire damage, while the others were impacted only by the large quantities of water required to fully extinguish the blaze, which came in 1 hour and 58 minutes.

There were no injuries reported from the scene and despite the "High Wind Warnings" that were in effect at the time of the fire, the wind did not play a factor.

Damage estimates were not yet available and the cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E16 RA47 E201 T1 RA1 E202 E2 T2 EM2 BC2 E44 BC1 E12 T12 E212 E25 T9 SQ21 DC2 EM11 BC11 E203 T3 E3 UR27 RA27 RA827 UR88 BC5 DC1 T27 E227 E47 E210 T10 E4 E17 AR1 E9 E55 T50 E250 E211 T11 E42 E215 T15 E235 T35 E229 T29 BC13 BC18 BC14 EM9 EA1 E27 RT59 RA867 RA2 RA12 RA4 RA803 RA804 RA844 CM3 EM11 FC1 DT1

(photos / slideshow)

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Man Critically Injured When Explosion Rocks El Sereno Neighborhood

EL SERENO - A thunderous explosion rocked an El Sereno neighborhood awake early this morning, damaging a home and sending one man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was dispatched at 2:08 AM on Saturday November 26, 2011 to 2990 Lowell Avenue, where they found a one-story home with broken window glass and scattered debris - but no active fire.


In searching the significantly damaged 1200 square-foot building for victims, firefighters quickly discovered a 29 year-old man who had sustained painful second- and third-degree burns to more than 35% of his body, including hands, arms, upper torso head and face.

As LAFD Paramedics commenced immediate care for the severely injured man, their colleagues discovered his wife and preteen daughter who had been in another part of the home, and were amazingly uninjured.

The badly burned man was taken by Fire Department ambulance to nearby Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, which houses a specialized burn care facility. Paramedics described him as being in critical condition.

Inspectors from the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety were summoned to evaluate the home's physical integrity, as Police and Fire Department Investigators continued their joint effort to determine the cause of the explosion. No immediate estimate of monetary damage was available.

Dispatched Units: E16 E47 RA47 E202 T2 RA2 BC2 E44 RA12 AR1 AR11 AR7 AR36

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Severe Collision on Freeway Causes Fire, Claims a Life

HIGHLAND PARK - Despite the Friday evening, rush-hour traffic, LAFD resources swiftly responded to what was first termed a "traffic collision" on the freeway. After having received multiple calls, dispatchers quickly upgraded the incident to a "physical rescue." However, the first arriving units encountered something much worse.

After one car apparently stalled on the southbound side of the Pasadena Freeway near York Boulevard, a sport utility vehicle, having not enough time to react to the disabled vehicle, violently rammed into its rear-end, causing the stalled auto to burst into flames. There were two passengers onboard the fully engulfed vehicle and despite the extreme efforts by nearly 40 LAFD Firefighters and Paramedics on-scene, one of the passengers succumbed to injuries and sadly, was pronounced deceased.

Resources from the South Pasadena Fire Department joined with the LAFD on the freeway incident and helped treat and transport four other patients, including the driver of the burnt-out vehicle. All were taken via rescue-ambulance in fair condition to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. At least one patient sustained minor burns, in a clear attempt to assist the poor soul that perished in the vehicle fire.

This fatality collision is currently under active investigation.

DISPATCH UNITS:
E55 E212 T12 RA12 RA55 E250 T50 E12 E47 HR56 EM11 BC2 E44 AR1 RA844 RA209


Submitted by Matt Spence
Spokesman, Los Angeles Fire Department

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100 Foot Geyser in Residential Neighborhood Displaces Family

At 6:11 pm this evening, your Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported "hydrant" at the residential intersection of North Edloft Avenue and East Twining Street in the neighborhood of El Sereno. First arriving units were guided to the scene by water being shot approximately 100 feet into the air from a high pressure fire hydrant. The hydrant had been sheared-off by a vehicle, whose driver had apparently lost control. The driver was treated and transported to a local hospital for observation.

Mass amounts of water then began to shower surrounding homes and fill the streets. Access to the hydrant shut-off valve was made difficult to Firefighters not only because they had to endure heavy water, but also due to the large, water-main shut-off valve being located deeper underground than what standard tools on our fire apparatus are capable of accessing. This particular hydrant shut-off valve required specialized tools available only to our partners at the Department of Water & Power (DWP).



As water continued to flow for nearly two hours, approximately 50 Firefighters quickly poured on-scene to assist, along with our specialized Urban Search & Rescue unit and our Heavy Rescue squad. The water flow initially prompted the Incident Commander (IC), Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson, to protect the residents of three homes in the area by sheltering them in place. When it became apparent this would be an extended incident, the IC, under the guidance of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, made the decision to evacuate these structures to ensure their safety.

When the hydrant was ultimately shut-down, representatives from the Department of Building & Safety quickly moved in to assess and determined the homes had sustained minimal, structural damage. However, a retaining wall at the rear of one of the structures was severely compromised. As a result, one family was unfortunately displaced for at least that evening. The family was assisted by our friends at the local Red Cross.

We are pleased to report there were no additional injuries to any of the families impacted nor to any of our on-scene personnel.

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


Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Bring South Boyle Heights Fire Quickly Under Control

LOS ANGELES - An electrical issue is believed to have sparked a swift-moving building fire in the South Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles.

Ninety-two Los Angeles Firefighters were dispatched on Monday, July 11, 2011, following a 12:58 PM phone call from a passerby describing a structure fire at 649 South Anderson Street in an industrial neighborhood a mile-and-a-half southeast of the Los Angeles Civic Center.

LAFD crews arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a well secured 50' x 100' one-story warehouse-like building. Forcing entry through rolling steel doors as chainsaw wielding colleagues ventilated heat and smoke from above, firefighters had the flames under control in just 24 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Los Angeles Police Officers joined LAFD Investigators in further researching the fire and seeking the tenant, for what was declared an accidental fire of an electrical nature. A fire damage estimate was not immediately available.

Dispatched Units: E17 RA616 E202 E2 T2 RA2 E25 E4 T9 EM2 BC1 BC11 E9 E203 E3 T3 E233 T33 E210 T10 E10 E14 SQ21 DC2 EM6 BC13 RA3 UR88 BC5 AR1

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Chemical Investigation at Science Annex

On Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 2:35 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and 49 Firefighters, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Manuel Lafarga, responded to a Chemical Investigation at 2250 East Alcazar Street in Lincoln Heights.

First arriving units were quick to gather as much information as was available at the USC Clinical Science Annex. It was discovered that the unidentified substance was isolated to one, single laboratory on the second floor of the two-story facility. The decision was then made by the Incident Commander to safely and quickly evacuate the entire building. However, there were 10 lab workers close enough in proximity to the spill, that warranted brief isolation from the lab. This task was carried-out by Firefighters who all made entry dressed in their appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE's). Subsequently, each of the 10 lab workers and another 14 building occupants (also on the floor at the time of the spill) received body scans with the Hazardous Material Squad's radiological detectors.

As an extra safety measure, a Decontamination Team was also put in place. Thankfully, there were no direct exposures to the spill, all detector readings were within normal limits and no occupants exhibited any signs or symptoms of illness or discomfort. Decontamination, therefore, was not required and all were eventually cleared and released at the scene.

The substance was deemed to be unharmful and of very small quantity (less than 2 ounces). After a meticulous sweep of the entire building and the processing of its occupants, the lab was sealed, the incident declared static and after three hours, was turned over to the Los Angeles County Health and Hazardous Materials Department as well as USC officials.

Adjacent occupancies, while alarmed because of the nature of the incident, were sheltered-in-place briefly, but were not affected due to the strategic management of the incident.

The incident is under investigation.

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

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LA Firefighters Battle Blaze in Downtown Wholesale District

On Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 0:22 AM, 18 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Rehab Air Tender, 1 Emergency Air and 137 total firefighters, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1238 East Olympic Boulevard in the Wholesale District.


 
Firefighters arrived to find a row of one-story commercial buildings covering 8,722 square-feet with heavy fire showing from two units. Worker's outside of the non-occupied business flagged down Firefighters and assisted access, eliminating the need of forcible entry. Additional resources were quickly called and large hose streams were deployed to attain maximum water-flow on this blaze.

The contents of this fire were highly combustible as the occupancy was a party-supplies company dealing largely in pinatas and other paper decorations. Firefighters were quickly forced into a defensive attack due to intense flames compromising the integrity of the structure, resulting in a full collapse of the roof other than the arch-trusses.

Complete extinguishment of the 90 year-old sprinklered building was obtained in one hour and 26 minutes, before anyone was injured. The cause of this early morning blaze was contributed to sparks from workers repairing rolling steel doors. The dollar loss is still being tabulated.

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

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Los Angeles Firefighter Injured at Structure Fire

On Friday, May 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 52 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Manuel Lafarga responded to a Structure Fire with Firefighter Injury at 1148 South Mirasol Street in the Hobart area of South Boyle Heights.
 




Firefighters arrived to find a 761 sqft Single Family Dwelling with heavy fire showing, exposing an approximate 500 sqft structure in the rear. Additional resources were immediately requested. Teams of Los Angles Firefighters made swift forcible entry and extended hand-lines to do battle with the well entrenched flames, as their colleagues scaled the roof of the 88 year-old wood frame home to perform vertical ventilation.

Due to the aggressive attack and well coordinated fire-fight, the blaze was fully extinguished in just 21 minutes before any civilians were injured. The residence was equipped with smoke alarm(s), however their functional status and role at the time of the fire could not be immediately determined.

A Tillerman Firefighter was injured while climbing a ladder to the roof, and the base of the ladder slipped on the concrete. The Firefighter fell approximately five to nine feet on his back and suffered a fractured right wrist, bruised ribs and injured back. He was transported to a local hospital in fair condition, where he has since been released home and is recovering.

Estimated dollar loss totaled $350,000: main house $200,000 ($140,000 structure & $60,000 contents), back house $150,000 ($125,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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L.A. Firefighters Limit Damage to South Boyle Heights Business

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 116 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 3518 East 15th Street in South Boyle Heights.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to discover fire through the roof of a 60' x 125' metal-clad two-story commercial building housing a metal polishing and refinishing firm.

The half-dozen workers within the business when the fire erupted, were able to escape unharmed prior to the Fire Department's arrival.

Firefighters made swift entry to find intense fire in the easternmost portion of the non-fire sprinklered building. Aided by strategic vertical ventilation performed with chainsaws by their colleagues on the roof above, LAFD crews were able to stand their ground against towering flames, eventually driving back the fire and sparing a full 75% of the business from damage.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to LAX Wheel Refinishing is estimated at $130,000 ($100,000 structure & $30,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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