Los Angeles Firefighters Respond to Helicopter Crash in Griffith Park

GRIFFITH PARK - A small private helicopter on a routine flight over Los Angeles made a hard landing after experiencing mechanical problems, today in Griffith Park, four people aboard suffered minor injuries.

Just after 2:00 PM the Los Angeles Fire Department received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding a downed helicopter near McComb Helispot, above the Roosevelt Municipal Golf Course.

The Robinson helicopter was on a routine flight from Redlands, circled over Santa Monica and was headed back to the Inland Empire when it started experiencing mechanical trouble.

Fortunately, the pilot and three passengers, a 25-year-old man and two women aged 33 and 25 all suffered only minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. A 50-year-old Park Ranger suffered heat exhaustion while responding to the scene and was hoisted into a LAFD helicopter and transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

Firefighters also quickly fixed additional concerns, including fuel leaking from the wreckage in the brush-covered surrounding area.

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

The Federal Aviation Administration's registry indicated the 2006 Robinson helicopter was owned by Mile High Rotors LLC, based in Colorado.

Dispatched Units: RH114 E235 T35 E52 E56 RA82 HR56 UR88 H0E H0A EM11 BC5 BC2 T27 E227 E27 H6 H3 E90 RA27 DC3 UR27 E290

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

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Halt Flames in Wilshire Condominium Complex

GREATER WILSHIRE -  Los Angeles Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire on the roof and in the attic of a large condominium complex, before anyone was injured.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 12:42 AM on January 30, 2013, to 4477 Wilshire Blvd where they found three-story condominium residences over parking with smoke showing.

LAFD crews, arriving in less than four minutes, commenced an aggressive fire attack with hose-lines while their colleagues performed vertical ventilation with chainsaws on the roof. Simultaneously a rapid search of the 33 year-old building ensued, ensuring all occupants were out of harms way.

A total of 90 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief J. Castro, extinguished the flames in 41 minutes.

The fire started in an elevator room on the roof and quickly spread through the attic. Three units on the third occupied floor suffered fire and water damage, and a several units below suffered water damage.  Once the flames were out, firefighters concentrated efforts on carefully removing residual water from affected units and protecting the occupants property.

No injuries were reported.

There did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances causing the Greater Alarm Structure Fire. Monetary loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E229 E29 T29 RA29 RA829 E61 T61 E261 E27 EM11 BC5 BC11 E68 E226 T26 E227 T27 DC1 SQ21 BC18 E211 T11 E94 EM1 E3 T5 E205 UR5 UR88 BC1

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Hollywood Boulevard Bus Collision Sends 35 to Hospital

HOLLYWOOD - A transit bus sideswiped a driverless dump truck before colliding with a sedan on Hollywood Boulevard Tuesday morning, sending thirty-five people to the hospital.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 7:57 AM on October 23, 2012 to 7673 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Firefighters arrived quickly to discover three vehicles involved in a dramatic collision.


According to witnesses, a Metro bus traveling westbound on Hollywood Boulevard had attempted to avoid but sideswiped a dump truck sans driver that rolled suddenly down an incline into its path at Stanley Avenue. Following the evasive maneuver, the bus collided with an eastbound sedan, badly trapping the driver of that vehicle when it became partially wedged beneath the front of the bus.

Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters, including personnel assigned to the LAFD Urban Search & Rescue and Heavy Rescue units, disentangled the trapped driver from her auto, while their colleagues performed a systematic triage of the remaining 37 persons involved in the collision.

The woman was removed from the crumpled remains of her silver sedan in less than twenty minutes. Having suffered a fractured left leg and other unspecified injuries, she was transported by LAFD Paramedics to a nearby trauma center in serious condition.

The woman's pre-teen daughter, who had been riding properly restrained in the rear seat of her vehicle, was able to exit the car unscathed prior to the Fire Department's arrival. In fair condition, she was taken to a nearby pediatric hospital by LAFD ambulance.

Also shaken but suffering minimal injury was the bus driver, who along with 32 of her passengers stated a desire for hospital evaluation. The 33 from aboard the bus, as well as the automobile driver and her daughter accounted for the 35 total taken to eight regional hospitals by LAFD ambulance for further assessment and care.


Three bus passengers declined treatment or transportation, and were released at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The collision remains under formal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials.

Dispatched Units: E41 RA41 E27 RA27 E82 E261 T61 HR56 EM5 BC5 UR88 E97 RA97 RA61 RA876 RA58 RA829 RA894 RA826 EM18 EM11 RA827 RA835 RA803 RA860 RA829 RA850

[ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Sweeps Through Sherman Oaks Florist

SHERMAN OAKS - A section of busy Ventura Boulevard was closed for more than 2 hours on Sunday evening, as firefighters battled a greater alarm fire at a popular floral store.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 8:38 PM on October 7, 2012 to 13838 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, where they discovered heavy smoke showing from a row of one-story businesses.

LAFD crews quickly took to the roof to perform strategic vertical ventilation of heat and smoke, as their colleagues forced entry into the closed florist to battle entrenched flames in the rear of the business.

© Photo courtesy NickFD11 on Flickr

The well-coordinated effort of seventy-one Los Angeles Firefighters, under the command of LAFD Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, confined flames within the business of origin. They extinguished the fire in just 27 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Mark's Garden is still being tabulated. The fast-moving blaze has been categorized as accidental, and is considered to be electrical in nature.

Dispatched Units: E278 T78 RA78 E288 E88 T88 RA88 EM14 BC14 E102 E99 E239 T39 BC10 DC3 E260 T60 E93 SQ21 BC5 E108 E227 T27 EM9 E89 E289 T89 UR88 BC4 AR2

[ photos ] [ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Electrical Fire Causes $300K Damage to Hollywood Hills Home

HOLLYWOOD HILLS - A fast-moving fire swept through the attic of a Hollywood Hills home on Thursday evening, displacing four residents but sparing them injury.

The fire was reported at 9:10 PM on September 13, 2012 at 1500 Forest Knoll Drive in the Hollywood Hills. Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy flames in the rambling attic of the nearly 4500 square-foot hillside home.

Joined by one Los Angeles County Fire Department Engine Company and Battalion Chief responding from neighboring West Hollywood, 76 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the command of Battalion Chief Jeff Elder held the flames in check, confining the inferno to the attic and extinguishing the blaze in just 38 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Uninjured yet displaced by the greater alarm fire were two adults and two adolescents, who chose to seek their own temporary accommodation. Despite the ferocity of flames, loss from the fire was limited to $300,000 ($200,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The cause of the blaze was declared to be electrical in nature.

Dispatched LAFD Units: E41 RA841 RA41 E97 E227 T27 EM14 BC5 E61 E27 E261 T61 H0D H1 RA97 E90 EA1 E29 E278 T78 DC3 SQ21 EM9 BC18 UR27 E3 RA3 RA803 T89 E289 UR88 BC14 AR2

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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East Valley High School Evacuated After Chemistry Lab Mishap

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - A mishap in a North Hollywood high school chemistry lab caused a temporary campus evacuation and led to four persons being hospitalized.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by East Valley High School officials at 12:52 PM on Monday, June 11, 2012, to investigate the accidental release of chemical fumes within a third-story science classroom at their 5525 Vineland Avenue campus in North Hollywood.


Fire Department crews responded quickly to help coordinate a calm and orderly evacuation of students and faculty to the school's athletic field, as LAFD Hazardous Materials experts made their way to the chemistry classroom where the incident occurred.

According to witnesses, a teacher was performing a science experiment before a class of 45 students, when a sudden and unanticipated reaction produced noxious fumes. Immediately closing the container and placing it under a ventilation hood in the classroom, the teacher moved the students from the room as a precautionary measure. There was no fire, explosion or obvious injury to those who witnessed the reaction.

Students assembled on the athletic field as firefighters examined the school's gymnasium to assure it safe, before moving evacuees there as respite from the sun of a warm Spring day. The 45 students and teacher from the involved classroom were individually examined at the scene by Fire Department responders, including an emergency physician who serves as the LAFD Medical Director.

Two adults and two students with minor medical complaints were taken to an area hospital by ambulance for further evaluation.

The County of Los Angeles Fire Department Health Hazardous Materials Division, as well as Los Angeles Unified School District officials, will be handling the subsequent investigation.

Dispatched Units: E60 RA860 RA60 E298 T98 E87 E221 T21 SQ21 EM15 BC14 E102 T60 E260 RA52 RA89 EM14 E86 RA78 DC3 E89 E88 E27 E278 T78 BC5 RA35 RA56 MD1 RA9 RA55 EM17

[ photos | slideshow ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Grand Opening of LAFD Fire Station 82 in Hollywood

The Los Angeles Fire Department warmly welcomes you to join civic and community leaders, including Fire Chief Brian Cummings, at the formal dedication and public grand opening of New LAFD Fire Station 82 in Hollywood:

Saturday, June 2, 2012
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
New Fire Station 82
5769 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

We're pleased to offer an interactive map that offers driving, transit, cycling and walking directions to this new facility, now actively serving Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills.

Following Saturday's dedication ceremony, there will be food and entertainment, static displays of fire and rescue equipment, as well as a chance to tour one of Southern California's newest Fire Stations. All members of the community are welcome at this family-themed public event.

A Brief History of Former Fire Station 82...

Established in the midst of World War II and housed in the distant, overcrowded quarters of LAFD's historic Fire Station 27 for its first 7 years, Engine Company 82 came to serve the rising population and industry in east Hollywood during the Truman presidency, as residents and City leaders scrambled to construct a neighborhood station for the crew at 1800 North Bronson Avenue.

Former LAFD Station 82 (1951-2012)

Opened on March 2, 1951 adjacent to the "Cahuenga Parkway" that would become the well known Hollywood (US 101) Freeway in 1954, the 7,145 square-foot single-bay Fire Station soon became an integral part of a largely residential community that, like the LAFD, evolved greatly in the more than six decades to follow.

Those assigned to the the 61-year-old former Fire Station became notably hampered over time by electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems that limited efficient operations. Equally foreboding for workers and visitors alike were critical deficiencies in seismic safety, climate control, ADA compliance, gender equity features and visitor parking.

LAFD Station 82 crew circa 1964.

What will long be remembered about the old station however, will be the perplexed look of neighbors, as crews at the single-bay Fire Station scrambled to move vehicles when an emergency response called for only the Engine Company or the Paramedic Ambulance - merely to see the process reversed and repeated as the crews returned and were again dispatched to emergencies.

Because the property beneath former Station 82 was too small to fully support a new or revamped Fire Station, Proposition F of November 2000 has brought the community a new and unique facility.

Today's Fire Station 82...

The four Firefighters and two Firefighter/Paramedics working each day at New Fire Station 82, continue to serve a diverse and demanding district of nearly 2 square miles, featuring high density residential and commercial properties, a busy freeway and subway corridor, television studios, entertainment venues, tourist sites and a portion of massive Griffith Park containing the iconic "Hollywood" sign.

Were this not enough, the station crew also bears primary responsibility for protecting hundreds of homes constructed in rugged terrain surrounded by volatile vegetation.

A safe, appealing and energy efficient facility, New Fire Station 82 features underground parking, a "green" roof and three-story construction, making it unique among Los Angeles Fire Stations. In a cost and space-saving measure benefitting the community and Department, several regional components of New Fire Station 82 - such as a multipurpose room and areas designed for efficient maintenance and rapid deployment of reserve apparatus, are now being constructed in a nearly 6,000 square-foot, two-story annex under construction on the site of the former station on Bronson Avenue.

Concept of New LAFD Fire Station 82 Annex under construction.

With drive-through apparatus bays that will preclude a need to shuffle vehicles at the time of an alarm, and countless other features designed for efficiency in the digital age, New Fire Station 82 promises to meet neighborhood needs - and those of a modern LAFD workforce - for many decades to come.

We encourage you to learn more about new Fire Station 82 and the many Fire Department facilities modernized by Proposition F by viewing a highly detailed on-line Monthly Progress Report.

..and most importantly, we look forward to seeing you this Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Hollywood for the Grand Opening of New LAFD Fire Station 82!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Spared Injury When Floor Collapses During Hancock Park Blaze

HANCOCK PARK - A stubborn fire raced through a massive Hancock Park home on Wednesday evening, causing a floor to collapse - but sparing injury, before being tamed by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 7:36 PM on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, bringing the swift response of 58 Los Angeles Firefighters to 644 South Muirfield Road, where they discovered smoke showing from an 8,829 square-foot two story home.

LAFD crews worked aggressively to protect personal property as their colleagues tackled stubborn flames within the 88 year-old residence, that was undergoing some manner of renovation. It was during the well orchestrated assault against elusive fire, that a sizeable portion of the second floor collapsed into the room below.

Despite the challenge, firefighters confined the flames to one room on the first floor, the space immediately above as well as a portion of the attic, attaining full extinguishment of the fire in just 75 minutes.

Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas stated that no firefighters were trapped and that there were no injuries.

Monetary loss from the flames is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze has been declared accidental in nature, and remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Injury, Death and Destruction Follow Shooting, Major Emergency Fire

HOLLYWOOD - Gun-shots fired in a relatively quiet neighborhood today, resulted in multiple victims, a Major Emergency Structure Fire and two deaths. No Fire or Police were injured.

At 12:41 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2012, LAPD Officers accompanied by Los Angeles Firefighters responded to a reported shooting at 517 North Harvard Boulevard. Upon arrival, they were greeting by three adults: one 34 year-old male and two 38 year-old females, all suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. A domestic dispute in the nearly 100 year-old single family dwelling, may have precipitated the gunfire. Acting without hesitation, the Officers and Firefighters rapidly extracted all three individuals from the residence, before discovering a quickly developing fire at the rear of the structure.

Adding to the chaos, were reports that the shooter was still in the residence and may have been holding one additional victim. The potential of this incident brought a swift and heavy response, with 150 Firefighters pouring into the Hollywood neighborhood.

The inherent risks of the incident were carefully considered by the Unified Command. With a reported shooter-at-large and a now, fully-developed structure fire, the safety and security of all personnel became the primary objective. With Firefighters unable make an interior fire-attack and untenable conditions in the structure eliminating the probability of survival, it was determined the best course of action was to let the fire burn itself out.

Hoselines were placed on each side of the approximate 2,600 square-foot home, as were armed LAPD Officers to provide force protection to Firefighters. The strategy was to prevent the fire from extending to the adjacent exposures by simply controlling it.

Full-extinguishment came 2 hours and 30 minutes later. Unfortunately, the discovery of two bodies also came, by way of our LAFD Cadaver Search Dog and its handler. They were aided by two others canines from Ventura County Fire Department. One of the bodies is believed to have been the shooter, of unknown age. Both bodies will be positively identified by the LA County Department of Coroner, as will the exact cause of death.

  

The three injured adults were all transported in critical condition to local hospitals. Both the fire and the crime scene are part of an active, joint investigation by the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section and the LAPD. While dollar-loss estimates were not yet available, the structure was a total loss. There were no reported injuries to LAFD or LAPD personnel.

Dispatched Units:
E11 RA6 RA20 T29 E29 E229 EM11 BC5 E61 RA82 RA41 RA56 EM2 EM9 E82 E235 T35 E227 BC11 BC2 BC13 DC2 E27 T27 UR3 RA3 HR56 UR88 BC1 UR27 RA827 E211 T11 E6 E15 E220 T20 SQ21 CM3 RA4 AR7 RA52 RA78 H2 E21 E3 E12 E202 T2 E226 T26 EA1 RT59 E56 AR1 RA867 RA867 E90 AR3 AR10 E91 RM2 SU1 AR36 E2 T12 E212 T3 E203

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Battles Huge Hollywood Structure Fire

HOLLYWOOD - Nearly 150 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a large two-story vacant church, just before 6:00 PM January 1st, 2012.

Firefighters arrived at 1717 North Gramercy Place to find heavy fire showing from the second story of a pre-1933 church, with adjacent classrooms attached. Due to the deep set, mid-block location of the structure, the roof was difficult to access with Aerial Ladder Trucks. Therefore, firefighters utilized multiple 35' ground ladders.

Strategically cutting three strips off the rooftop for ventilation helped limit horizontal fire spread, as firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief J. Castro used hand-lines to tackle flames within the 100' x 50' structure.

A very aggressive fire attack ensued for one hour. Some firefighters went through three air bottles battling the inferno during their offensive and exhaustive attack. Flames damaged the basement, first floor, second floor and attic. No injuries were reported.

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

Dispatched Units: E82 RA82 E227 E27 T27 RA827 E52 E235 T35 EM11 BC5 BC18 E29 E261 T61 DC3 E41 SQ21 BC11 CP2 E26 E229 T29 EM2 UR27 T3 E203 RA3 RA803 E89 UR88 BC14 RA27 E11 E260 T60 E210 T10 E76 RA52 RA35 EM14 EM9 AR27 EA1 RT59 T20 E220 T20 E220 AR7 SU1 E10 T15 E215 E27


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Sweeps Through Attic of Hollywood's Magic Castle

HOLLYWOOD HILLS- The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported "Structure Fire" at the historic Magic Castle today, leaving the 102 year-old mansion no choice but to postpone its planned week of Halloween festivities, which the private club had ironically dubbed "Inferno at the Castle."



At 12:35 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011, 120 Los Angeles Firefighters quickly descended upon the two-story, Victorian-style structure at 7001 West Franklin Avenue, for what was confirmed by first arriving resources as a "fire in the attic." Because of the building's compartmentalized construction and its complexity in design, the fire was able to conceal itself within the walls and attic of the Magic Castle. For a time, the fire seemed, almost, to prevent itself from being discovered and perhaps hoped to extend the theme of the magic club's week-long promotion, on its own.

Great lengths were taken to keep this Los Angeles area landmark and all of its historical content safe from extensive damage. Thanks to an aggressive fire-attack, coupled with strategic work on a very elaborate roof, Firefighters were able to fully-extinguish this pesky fire in just one hour and five minutes. Although its construction dates back to 1909, the mansion is now fully-sprinklered, which aided in the LAFD's ability to confine the fire to its area of origin.

The Magic Castle's management and its workers, preparing for the Halloween Night festivities, were the only occupants in the building at the time. All managed to exit the structure without incident and we are pleased to report, there were no injuries.

While the exact cause remains under active investigation, the fire was determined to be "accidental" in nature. Dollar loss and damage estimates were not yet available.

Click here to find updates from our friends at The Magic Castle, such as when they hope to reopen.

Dispatched Units:
E41 RA41 E27 T27 RA827 E82 E261 T61 EM14 BC18 BC5 E76 E10 E235 T35 T29 E229 E11 DC3 SQ21 EM2 BC11 RA27 E227 T3 E203 RA803 UR88 BC14 UR3 E15 E60 E278 T78 E226 T26 RA52 RA102 EM11 EA1 E3 RM2 RM3 AR2 SU1

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Tough Blaze in Hollywood Hills Home Injures Two Firefighters

HOLLYWOOD HILLS - Firefighters filled the narrow, windy streets of this quiet Hollywood Hills neighborhood, where they battled intense flames, in an attempt to save a large, private residence on the 7300 block of Woodrow Wilson Drive. This 2000 square foot, single story residence, presented several challenges to those on-scene, including the dark, steep hillside on which it was built and the heavy, dense brush that surrounds it. Additionally, there were some traffic issues, as large fire apparatus attempted to negotiate these hills.

The initial dispatch, at just before 8:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011, brought the LAFD's water-dropping helicopters, as this was originally thought to have been a "brush fire." While water-drops were not an option in this residential neighborhood, our air resources did provide very valuable lighting to the incident, in the form of their "Nightsun" lamps. Visibility on the nearly black hillside had only been made worse due to the smokey conditions, and the lamps assisted in the illumination of several other hazards, including an empty, in-ground swimming pool located in the front yard.
(video)




After an exhausting battle that lasted nearly one and a half hours, 80 Firefighters officially declared a "knockdown" and the Incident Commander's initial fear of this fire extending into the surrounding brush, was not realized. This was due, in large part, to the strong efforts of all members on-scene. The incident took tremendous coordination, as most companies were forced to park their apparatus down the hill, and then hike back up, in order to go to work. Two LAFD members were sent to local hospitals for observation, after both sustained (at the time of this posting) not yet determined, illnesses/injuries.

The cause of this Friday night blaze remains under active investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated. The LAFD did not formally determine or identify the legal owner of the property at the time of the fire.

DISPATCHED UNITS: E76 RA876 E97 RA97 E227 T27 BC5 BC14 E29 E41 E27 E82 E86 E68 H6 H2 H1 DC3 T90 E290 E26 E261 T61 BC18 E3 RA41 EM9 BC11 RA27 RA82 EM14 E11 E215 T15 AR2 RM2 E88


Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Grass Fire Near Cahuenga Pass

On Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2:53 PM, 8 Fire Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, all under the direction of Division Chief Michael Little, responded to a Brush Fire in the Cahuenga Pass Area near the 101 freeway.

A small column of smoke ascending from the hillside area alerted passing motorists to a growing grass fire. Firefighters encountered approximately one quarter acre of grass burning uphill with little wind, approximately one half mile south of Barham Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard. As additional Firefighters arrived they were deployed to attack the hot flanks of the fire in an attempt to control the perimeter of fire and provide protection for any near by structures.

Over 32 Firefighters were strategically deployed for a quick aggressive attack on the sides of the fire and were able to gain control and extinguish the flames in 23 minutes. Due to favorable weather conditions and an aggressive, well coordinated attack on the fire, no structures were damaged. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was unintentional and undetermined.

Submitted by Diana Igawa & Erik Scott, Spokespersons
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Pull Nine Pets From Burning Hollywood Hills Home

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 10:01 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 32 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Rideout, responded to a Structure Fire at 2747 North Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire showing from a one-story hillside home.

Forcing entry into the smoke-charged residence, firefighters quickly encountered household pets seeking to escape the blaze, and soon commenced an exhaustive search of the 1,288 square-foot building to find and rescue a half-dozen more animals in severe to extreme distress.

The fire was swiftly confined to the home's kitchen and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

The total of nine pets rescued from the burning home, including four dogs and five cats, were cared for by Los Angeles Firefighters, who soon determined that two dogs and two cats were beyond medical help.

Following more than a half-hour of on-scene care by firefighters, the two dogs and three cats who survived the blaze, were entrusted to the care of a responder from the Department of Animal Services.

No human injuries were reported.




Monetary loss to the 55 year-old home - unoccupied by humans at the time of the fire, is estimated at $110,000 ($75,000 structure & $35,000 contents). The cause of the late night blaze is categorized as electrical.

We were deeply touched by this video statement from the resident...



(slideshow) (video) (video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Officials Identify and Release Booking Photo of Hollywood Temple Arson Suspect

On Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 8:43 AM, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by law enforcement officials to commence a post-fire investigation at the Temple Israel of Hollywood at 7300 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

In a media statement, the Los Angeles Police Department described a burglary during which a small fire was set in a temple classroom. The fire was reportedly extinguished prior to the Police Officer's arrival. There were no injuries, and damage to the synagogue school was described as minimal.

Pursuant of protocol, the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force was deployed, bringing local specialists from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation to join Investigators from the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments.

With concurrence of the investigation team, the Los Angeles Fire Department released video and still images of the suspect.




The following statement and booking photo was issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department on April 20, 2011:

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section as the lead agency of the House of Worship Arson Task Force which includes members from the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives have made an arrest in connection with the Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., arson incident which occurred on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

Arson & Burglary Suspect Dmitriy Sheyko
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The suspect, Dmitriy Sheyko is currently in custody and has been charged with the Temple Israel of Hollywood burglary and arson incident, as well as several additional intentional fires in the Hollywood Hills. The additional fires occurred on the night of April 17, 2011, at a construction site that was in close proximity to where Sheyko had been detained by Los Angeles police officers conducting a burglary investigation.

Today, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reviewed the facts of the case as presented by LAFD and LAPD Investigators, which resulted in the filing of 19 felony counts against Sheyko. The charges filed include multiple counts of burglary, arson and the use of a destructive device. Bail has been set at $3,000,000.

Anyone who believes that they recognize this individual as being tied to any other crimes or fires are encouraged to contact Arson Investigators at the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213)485-6095.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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