LAFD: Westwood Church Fire an Act of Arson

WESTWOOD - Firefighters have declared a Friday evening blaze at a Westwood church, to have been an act of arson.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 9:14 PM on Friday, June 15, 2012 to a reported fire within the Westwood Hills Christian Church located at 10808 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood.

Firefighters swiftly entered the sanctuary of the 61 year-old gothic-style church to find furnishings that had been deliberately set ablaze. Though the non-injury fire was quickly extinguished, the incendiary act caused at least $5,000 of property damage.

LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section Investigators were soon on scene, and in accordance with protocol, activated the regional "House of Worship Arson Task Force", bringing specialists from the Los Angeles Police Department, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to join the active LAFD investigation.

"An act of arson in a house of worship is a particularly repugnant crime" said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey, who added "the activation of the regional 'House of Worship Arson Task Force' underscores the importance to our community as a whole, in quickly apprehending those responsible."

Investigators are asking those with information about the fire, to contact the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section directly at (213) 893-9800.

Dispatched Units: E37 RA37 E71 E59 RA59 E292 T92 E261 T61 EM9 BC9 BC18 E19 T37 E237 AR2 AR10 DC3 AR7 AR17 AR9

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire in UCLA Science Lab Garners Significant LAFD Response

WESTWOOD - A laboratory at UCLA's Health and Sciences Center was significantly damaged by a fire this morning and at one point, brought nearly 150 Los Angeles Firefighters to the scene.

At 11:05 am on October 24, 2011, the LAFD responded to a reported "Structure Fire" in a seven-story, science building on the UCLA campus. A complete evacuation was already underway, as first arriving Firefighters made their ascent to the fifth floor of this facility. The Incident Commander noted the presence of hazardous materials clearly marked on exterior of the building, considered its size and type, as well as the time of day, and knew the potential existed for a very significant incident. Immediately, the request was made for additional resources, including the LAFD's Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Squad.

Firefighters quickly gained control and fully extinguish the blaze in 50 minutes, confining it to just one room. The incident then began to de-escalate and many of the on-scene resources were released.

With a full evacuation of the building in place, the HazMat Squad made entry and conducted precautionary testing. The facility was later deemed safe for students, faculty and employees, as they were allowed to re-populate all floors of the building, except the affected fire-floor.

We are pleased to report there were no injuries or illnesses, as a result of this incident. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the fire was determined "accidental" in nature. Dollar loss estimates were not yet available.

Dispatched Units:
E37 RA37 E71 RA71 E19 E288 T88 E269 T69 E81 T39 E239 H0C H0D H0F EM14 BC10 BC5 E60 SQ87 E88 H1 H2 H3 E87 T87 RA87 DC3 E237 T37 E292 T92 E94 E99 E109 E41 E51 E26 E278 T78 AR2 E295 T95 E226 T26 BC1 RA19 RA62 RA43 RA99 RA15 EM2 EM17 E59 BC9 EA1 BC4 EM9 UR88 CM3 RT59 RA63 EM11 RA59 LO1 RA58

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Family Displaced by Stubborn Westwood Apartment Fire

WESTWOOD - A stubborn predawn fire in a five story Westwood apartment building displaced four residents and brought temporary closure of a busy thoroughfare early Wednesday morning.

The blaze, reported to the Los Angeles Fire Department at 4:37 AM on October 19, 2011, brought 115 firefighters to 10655 Wilshire Boulevard, a half-mile southeast of the UCLA campus in Westwood.

Awakened by smoke alarms within their unit, occupants of a fourth floor apartment were able to safely escape the blaze as the fire spread quickly through walls to an apartment above in the twenty unit non-fire sprinklered building.

The flames were fully extinguished in just 64 minutes - and no injuries were reported. Four family members from a fifth floor apartment were displaced by the fire, and referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.

Fire loss to the 56-year old "Princess Apartments" building is estimated at $170,000 ($100,00 structure & $70,000 contents). The cause of the early morning blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: T37 E37 E237 RA37 E71 RA71 E292 T92 E59 EM9 BC9 BC18 E68 RA92 E19 E261 T61 DC3 SQ21 BC5 T61 E261 E63 E261 T61 E19 E58 E263 T63 E269 T69 SQ21 EM14 BC4 BC10 E5 T88 E288 UR88 RA5 BC5 AR2 EA1 RA861

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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