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

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

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

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

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

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

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

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

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

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source