Fire at Sun Valley Business Sends Elderly Owner to the Hospital

SUN VALLEY - On Saturday September 14, 2013,  Los Angeles Firefighters battled a blaze in a commercial building that seriously injured the business owner.

At 11:18 AM, The Los Angeles Fire Department  responded to 10642 West Arminta Street. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from a 50' by 150' single story commercial building. Within minutes of the firefight explosives were heard. Fire companies made a coordinated retreat and a defensive fire attack ensued. Nearly 100 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief  Robert Takeshita fully extinguished the flames in just 36 minutes.

The 80 year old business owner sustained burn injuries and was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. The owner of  Hollywood Engineering, had been at this location for over 40 years, where reloading equipment for ammunition was fabricated.

 The blaze was confined to the building of fire origin and deemed unsafe by the Department of Building and Safety. Because of the close proximity, the owners residence was also red tagged. The American Red Cross assisted with temporary placement for 3 adults, and 2 dogs.

Monetary loss from the fire was estimated at $500,000 ($250,000 structure & $250,000 contents). Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators determined the cause to be electrical in nature.

Dispatched Units: E77 E89 T89 E289 RA89 RA889 E60 T60 E260 BC12 BC10 E81 E239 T39 E86 E298 E98 T98 DC3 EM15 BC14 T88 E288 UR88 E27 UR27 BC5 E88 RA88 E227 T27 AR1 AR2

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Over 100 LAFD Firefighters Battle a Motel Blaze in Van Nuys; 4 Occupants Injured

VAN NUYS - Over 100 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a blaze in a Van Nuys motel where four were injured on August 24, 2013.

At 11:14 am the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived at 6500 Sepulveda Boulevard in four minutes to find smoke billowing out of the second story of a two-story "O" shaped motel, named the Voyager Motor Inn. Additional companies were immediately requested.  

Firefighters rushed inside with hose-lines and laddered the second story windows helping trapped victims to safely escape. Additional firefighters performed vertical ventilation on the roof with chainsaws while others kicked in doors of units to perform rapid Search and Rescue operations.

Fire attack was difficult due to the building lay out and the volume of fire throughout the second floor. The motel had 120 units, 60 were occupied.

The fire appeared to have originated in unit 246. The occupant rushed out leaving the door open and the flames rapidly spread, additional occupants did the same, causing the fire to blow down the hallways like a horizontal chimney, fueled by a light wind.

The bulk of the damage occurred on the second floor. Flames and smoke damaged approximately 50 units, and multiple units on the first floor suffered water damage. The motel was equipped with smoke alarms, not with fire sprinklers.

The flames were confined to the motel and no nearby structures were damaged. A total of  147 firefighters (including those initially dispatched and additional firefighters assisting with overhaul), all under the command of Battalion Chief Don Reyes, extinguished the flames in one hour and 16 minutes. Firefighters remained in an offensive attack.

The LAFD worked closely with various departments and organizations including CERT. The Emergency Management Department played a key role in collaborating the with the American Red Cross and with Recreation and Parks to open up the Delano Recreation Center for the approximately 50 displaced residents. Additionally, Metropolitan Transportation Authority was utilized to transport these residents from the fire scene to the shelter location. LAPD assisted with scene security and authentication of proper occupants during the collection of personal property.

A total of four persons were treated on scene. Three patients ranging from a five month-old female to a 32 year-old female, all with non-life-threatening injuries were transported to local hospitals. No one was burned.

The cause of the fire is Undetermined, and remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section. The estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units:  E39 E288 T88 E90 RA881 E100 RA100 E289 T89 EM14 BC5 BC10 E102 E81 BC14 E489 E7 E273 T73 E293 T93 DC1 EM17 BC12 UR88 T27 E227 E27 UR27 BC5 AR2 RA27 RA39 EA1 E290 T90 E261 T61 E105 E83 RA88 RA90 EM9 T60 E260 E5 E26 T12 E212 E27 DC1 BC14 T39 E239

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Handles a Greater Alarm Structure Fire in Sun Valley

SUN VALLEY - Nearly 100 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a massive blaze in a large unoccupied commercial building housing portable toilets, at 9364 Glenoaks Boulevard on July 30, 2013.

Alerted by multiple 9-1-1 calls just after 8:00 PM of a Structure Fire, firefighters en-route saw a large plume of black smoke rapidly raising into the evening's blue sky. They arrived on scene to find fire viciously blowing through the roof of a 100' x 100' cinder-block construction commercial building, doing business as Mission Valley Sanitation. The building was directly behind Glenoaks Auto Parts. Additional resources were immediately requested. 

Due to the large extent of fire, a partial roof collapse, and no reports of anyone inside, Battalion Chief Waters wisely ordered a defensive attack, not allowing firefighters to rush inside the inferno. Rather, waves of firefighters quickly surrounded the structure and used large hose streams to pour copious amounts of water on the burning building. Two suction trucks on the property were also on fire.

A total of 98 firefighters, all under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, fully extinguished the flames in 48 minutes, however remained on scene through the night to ensure no flare-ups occurred. No one was injured. The cause of the evening blaze is undetermined and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: AR2 BC10 BC12 BC14 BC15 BC5 DC3 E24 E260 E274 E288 E289 E298 E60 E7 E77 E89 E98 EA1 EM15 RA77 RA889 RA89 RA898 T60 T74 T88 T89 T98 UR27 UR88

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Raging Fire Damages Los Angeles Victorian Home, Displacing 6

WESTLAKE - A fire raced through a 118 year-old Victorian home west of downtown Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon, trapping one man and his pets, and leading more than 125 firefighters to battle fierce flames that caused nearly a half-million dollars damage.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 2:05 PM on July 9, 2013 to 690 South Burlington Avenue. Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire on the second floor of a 3,552 square-foot three-story Victorian home, with flames extending to the third floor and attic.

@LAFD knocking down Victorian house fire 7th/Burlington pic.twitter.com/4c8Jk6zYjA
— Ray Ravith Pok (@poKreate) July 9, 2013

A man and his two dogs perilously trapped by smoke and flames at a third story window were dramatically rescued by firefighters, who rapidly deployed an aerial ladder to assist the trio to safety unharmed. A total of 127 Los Angeles Firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Emile Mack, labored under intense summer heat with high humidity for nearly 48 minutes to fully extinguish the flames.

The compartmentalized interior of the building, combined with balloon-frame construction (typical of the era) allowed flames to quickly spread and led to an extensive post-fire overhaul of building by LAFD personnel, who spent nearly 9 hours salvaging personal property and checking for embers.

No injuries were reported.

Six adults displaced by the greater alarm fire were provided on-site support by American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers, who offered residents temporary shelter and life needs assistance.

The presence and functional status of smoke alarms inside the vintage structure could not be immediately determined. The home, built in 1895 and never retrofitted with optional residential fire sprinklers, sustained an estimated $450,000 damage ($400,000 structure and $50,000 contents).

Though the specific cause of the blaze remains under investigation, a team of veteran Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section confidently stated there was "no evidence of this being an intentionally set fire".

Dispatched Units: E211 E11 T11 RA11 E13 RA950 E10 T10 E210 SQ21 EM11 BC11 BC1 E15 E9 T9 RA9 DC1 RA811 EA1 E226 T26 E229 T29 EM5 BC18 T3 E203 E3 UR3 RA3 RA803 UR88 BC5 AR1 HU59 AR9 E12 T64 E264 T27 E227 E21 T15 E215 E66

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, 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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Investigators Seek Cause of Intense Blaze at Los Angeles Church

LEIMERT PARK - A multi-agency fire investigation is underway to determine the cause of a blaze that heavily damaged a southwest Los Angeles church early Friday morning.

The fire was reported to the Los Angeles Fire Department at 1:54 AM on April 26, 2013. Firefighters arrived quickly to 4909 South Crenshaw Boulevard, where they found heavy fire inside the Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church.

The combination of a steeply pitched roof, high ceilings and the volume of fire, lead firefighters to quickly transition to defensive operations. Nearly 100 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, had the flames extinguished in just 50 minutes. A well-coordinated effort by firefighters limited the blaze to the 86 year old building of fire origin. No injuries were reported.

Twenty-nine additional LAFD personnel were called to the scene over the next fourteen hours, to assist in salvaging items from the sanctuary and supporting the investigation.

With clergy expressing a strong interest in maintaining Sunday services, firefighters helped churchgoers set up for worship in the community center next door. "This church is a cornerstone of the community", said Fire Captain Jaime Moore, adding "we're doing everything we can to help them get back on their feet".

Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $2 million ($1.5M structure & $500,000 contents). Pursuant of protocol, the fire remains the focus of an active investigation by the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force, which has yet to declare a cause for the blaze.

Dispatched Units: E66 E294 E94 T94 RA94 RA894 EM11 BC18 E15 DC1 T66 E266 E34 E26 T26 E226 E215 T15 EM9 BC11 T27 E227 E27 UR27 RA27 RA927 UR88 BC5 E10 AR1 E233 T33 E11 AR11 AR17 RT59 RA867 AR9 E94 BP94 AR17 T94 E294

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Rescues Occupants from North Hollywood Apartment Blaze; 1 Resident Dies

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Los Angeles Firefighters rescued several residents and halted an intense fire that ripped through a two-story apartment building in North Hollywood late this morning, leaving one man dead and another hospitalized.

Just after 10:00 AM on April 22, 2013, scores of firefighters rushed to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 5158 Riverton Avenue. They arrived on scene to find fire blowing out of a second floor unit of a two-story apartment building over parking. Additional resources were immediately requested.

As firefighters ran in the main entrance and half way up the stairs they were met by intense heat and flames billowing overhead. They relentlessly pushed forward knowing occupants were likely trapped inside.

Truck Companies promptly extended ladders to second story balconies and rescued at least two occupants who were scared for their lives. Quickly following, additional firefighters climbed to the roof to perform strategic vertical ventilation with chainsaws.

The next wave of firefighters performed a rapid and systematic search and rescue utilizing infrared cameras which helped locate an unconscious adult male in the dark, smoked filled upstairs hallway. He was pulled out and rushed to awaiting Firefighter/Paramedics whom provided immediate advanced medical aid and hurried him to a local hospital.

As firefighters emerged with blackened helmets, multiple bystanders on scene praised them for outstanding work, some even shaking their hands.

Due to firefighters swift and aggressive attack, occupant's lives were saved and the intense flames were halted quickly.

Sixty four firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Trevor Richmond, fully extinguished the inferno in just 25 minutes.

There were a total of five patients. The adult male transported in grave condition was sadly later pronounced dead at a local hospital. An additional adult male, assisted outside by caring bystanders prior to fire department arrival, was transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Three others victims on scene were evaluated but did not require transport to the hospital.

Of the 24-units in the building, five suffered significant fire damage and portions of the second and first floors had smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section, who tediously combed the entire building.

Approximately 30 residents from 15 units were displaced and offered assistance from the American Red Cross. Occupants of nine units were happy to be rehoused and stay the night in their apartments. Water and power was restored to the building and the gas is expected to be turned on in the morning.

The estimated dollar loss is $350,000 ($300,000 structure & $50,000 contents).

Dispatched Units: E260 E60 T60 RA60 E86 RA86 EM14 BC14 E76 E102 E278 T78 DC3 E289 T89 E27 BC9 RA89 RA78 EM88 T39 E239 RA77 AR2 EA2 EA1 RA60 RA86 E90 E86 E289 T89 E227 T27 T78 E278 RA889

(NEWS VIDEO) (AMATEUR VIDEO) (PHOTOS)

Submitted by Erik Scott, 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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LAFD Battles Stubborn Fire in Vacant Westside Office

CARTHAY - A stubborn fire in vacant office space above a westside dry cleaner, brought more than a hundred firefighters to battle flames in the two story building early Thursday, in what proved to be a greater alarm blaze.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 12:34 AM on January 31, 2013, to 1232 South La Cienega Boulevard, where they arrived quickly to discover heavy fire in a vacant upstairs office space.

Though the bulk of fire was soon extinguished, LAFD crews labored intensely with chainsaws and hoselines for nearly an hour, to gain access and fully extinguish natural gas-fed flames in deeply recessed floor and wall spaces. The well coordinated but labor intense effort confined the fire to the upstairs portion of the two-story 6,900 square foot building, which was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

The judicious use of water, combined with extensive salvage and protection efforts by many of the 117 Fire Department responders, severely limited damage to the downstairs business, Fame Cleaners.

The flames were fully extinguished in just 57 minutes, and no injuries were reported. Loss from the fire is estimated at $1,625,000 ($1,500,000 structure & $125,000 contents). The cause of the early morning blaze is undetermined.

Dispatched Units: E58 RA58 RA858 E292 T92 E43 E261 E61 T61 EM9 BC18 BC9 E59 E94 T94 E294 DC1 SQ21 BC11 RA92 E68 E229 T29 E29 E237 T37 EM11 T27 E227 E27 UR27 RA27 RA827 UR88 BC5 RA61 EM13 EA2 E37 E226 T26 AR2

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, 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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Smoke Alarm Helps Save Lives in Brentwood Blaze

BRENTWOOD - On January 18, 2013, just after 9 AM, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived to 847 South Bundy Drive to find a side by side 2 story condominium over parking, approximately 1600 sq. ft.
First units on scene reported fire showing from the roof of a 39 year old structure. Fortunately all occupants exited the premise when they heard the smoke alarms. Another great example of reminding all of us to check our batteries and making sure all our smoke alarms are in working order. In today’s case this potentially saved the resident's life.

Immediately on arrival, additional companies were requested to prevent the spread of this fire to the rest of the 33,000 sq. ft. lot of these Brentwood condos. A total of 100 Firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Charles Butler, contained the fire to structures 847 and 845 Bundy Drive and fully extinguished the flames in just 33 minutes.

Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters remained on scene for over 4 hours to assisting displaced owners and salvage remains.

No injuries were reported. Upon completion of assessment from arson investigator Jose Sanchez “The cause of this fire was deemed accidental.” The dollar loss is estimated at $550,000 ($500,000 structure & $50,000 contents)

Every year in the United States, about 3,500 people die in home fires. Most of these deaths occurred in homes that didn’t have a working smoke alarm.

Lastly, don't forget to prepare and practice your fire escape plan twice a year with everyone in your household, including children and people with disabilities.

Dispatched Units: E19 RA19 E237 T37 RA37 E59 E292 T92 E71 E269 T69 EM14 BC18 BC5 E61 DC3 E229 E27 RA59 BC10 UR88 T27 E227 UR27 RA27 RA827 E5 BC4 E15 E263 T63 SQ21 BC9 EA1 BC4 DC3 AR2 AR7

Submitted by Shawn Lenske, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Halts Fast Moving Fire in Encino Commercial Building

ENCINO / TARZANA - Aggressive work by Los Angeles Firefighters brought a blaze in a one-story commercial building to a grinding halt on Thursday evening. No one was injured.

Just after 9:00 pm on November 29, 2012, Firefighters arrived to 18471 Ventura Boulevard (originally reported as 5400 Reseda Avenue) to find thick black smoke billowing out of a cellular phone store, threatening a connected furniture store to the west.

A bold attack ensued against the flames. Firefighters strategically fought from the rear of the 27 year-old building, making their way from the "uninvolved to the involved", careful not to push the flames into undamaged areas of the shop. Simultaneously, colleagues laddered the structure and began vertical ventilation with chainsaws to open up the lightweight open web steel joist roof, allowing for heat, smoke, and gasses to escape.

Intense flames quickly spread through the entire attic of the 70' x 25' building, resulting in a 30' portion of the roof to begin sagging. Additional firefighters were immediately requested.

Determining no one was trapped inside the 6400 square-foot store, and considering "risk vs gain", complied with the fact that the flames were well entrenched, a defensive attack began approximately 15 minutes into the firefight.

Soon thereafter, firefighters began getting a good handle on the fire. In just an additional ten to fifteen minutes there were no longer any visible flames, just defeated white smoke remained.

During and after the battle, firefighters also concentrated their efforts into salvage work to protect the neighboring furniture store from damage. A division wall between the two businesses did its job, and assisted in stopping spread of flames.

Approximately 100 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Joseph Foley, declared a knockdown in 36 minutes.

The cause remains under active investigation by LAFD's Arson Section. The majority of damage was to the cellular phone store and the dollar loss is being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E293 E93 T93 RA93 E83 RA83 E273 T73 E100 EM17 BC17 BC15 E84 E87 E90 E105 DC3 E305 T105 E290 T90 E239 T39 SQ21 EM15 BC14 E288 T88 E88 UR88 RA88 RA889 BC10 RA73 RA100 RA104 EM14 E39 EA1 RT83 RA860 AR2

Submitted by Erik Scott, 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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Four Injured in Los Angeles Koreatown Apartment Blaze

KOREATOWN - Four persons were injured - one critically, when an apartment fire erupted Monday evening in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles.

A series of frantic 9-1-1 calls beginning at 8:14PM on September 17, 2012 brought the Los Angeles Fire Department to 504 South Normandie Avenue in Koreatown, where they discovered smoke and soon intense flames, visible from the lowest floor of three apartment levels over parking.

Photo by @EMAMD on Twitter

With reports of one or more residents trapped on the fire floor, and deadly smoke and heat filling the center hallway style building, the first of 72 LAFD responders braved oppressive conditions to push back the flames, as their colleagues swiftly forced entry into six apartments near the fire in a methodical search under zero-visibility conditions for those reported missing.

Firefighters found and rescued an approximately 28 year-old man from an interior hallway near the well involved apartment. With full thickness burns to nearly 85% of his body, he was transported by LAFD Paramedics in critical condition to an area hospital.

Other Firefighters found and rescued an approximately 58 year-old woman from within the smoke-charged building. With significant smoke exposure, she was transported in serious condition to a nearby hospital by LAFD Paramedics.

The fire was confined to the apartment of fire origin and an adjacent interior hallway, with flames brought fully under control in just 21 minutes.

Fire Department ambulances were later used to transport an approximately 45 year-old man with a foot injury, and a fourteen year-old girl with minor respiratory distress, both in good condition, to area hospitals.

No other injuries were reported.

Monetary loss to the 24-unit building is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E29 T29 E229 RA29 RA829 E6 E52 E211 T11 EM11 BC11 BC705 E61 BC5 RA6 RA52 EM1 E226 T26 E13 E11 E261 T61 DC1 SQ21 EM13 BC18 T3 E203 RA3 RA803 T27 E227 UR27 UR88 BC1 UR3 RA13 RA811 AR1 AR11 AR10 AR23

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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LAFD Rushes to Encino High Rise Fire

ENCINO - A small high-rise fire trapped a woman in an elevator and forced upwards of 100 occupants of multiple businesses to evacuate.

Just before 2:00 PM on September 12, 2012, Los Angeles Firefighters rushed from the ground and air to 16661 Ventura Boulevard after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls of a possible fire on the roof of a seven story modern high-rise. As firefighters hurried inside, many occupants were rushing out.

 

Multiple activated smoke alarms and manual pull stations were noticed as the lobby fire alarm control panel was evaluated. Additional Firefighters were immediately requested. Scores of firefighters then calmly escorted occupants to safety, recalled the elevators, searched every floor of the 127,774 (sq ft) structure, contacted the building engineer, and located the source of the lazy smoke.

 

A 3' x 2' electrical box in a rooftop equipment room was quickly extinguished after catching fire. However, the smoke rapidly circulated through the building's HVAC system, pouring it throughout the offices. The flames also disrupted services in the buildings four elevators, trapping a woman. Firefighters quickly located, freed, and evaluated her. She declined transport to a hospital.

A total of 139 firefighters responded, under the command of Assistant Chief Kwame Cooper, many of which remained on scene for hours to remove the smoke and assist those in need.

The cause of the fire is electrical and the estimated dollar loss is $2500.

Dispatched Units: E83 E293 T93 RA83 E90 E109 RA100 H0B H0E H0C E39 T73 E273 E290 T90 EM17 BC10 BC15 E100 H1 H2 H4 H3 T88 E288 E93 E99 E287 T87 E278 T78 DC3 SQ21 EM12 BC9 E89 T27 E227 UR88 BC14 EM15 E103 BC17 RA93 RA99 RA102 EM14 E85 RA27 T85 E285 UR27 E85

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Koreatown Blaze Destroys Vacant Apartment Building

KOREATOWN - An intense fire Monday afternoon that destroyed a vacant Koreatown apartment building, damaged four cars and threatened as many as six buildings, was extinguished in just 38 minutes, but not before forcing as many as ten neighbors from their nearby home.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 5:28 PM on July 16, 2012 to the vicinity of Olympic Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue for a possible structure fire. Quickly following visible smoke to the neighborhood, firefighters arrived promptly to do swift battle with extreme flames at a location they initially declared as being on "Serrano Avenue".

The temporarily misstated location was later corrected by responders to 1017 South Berendo Avenue, and confirmed to be a vacant 3,700 square-foot, two-story center hallway apartment building that was undergoing a major renovation.

A one-story "L-shaped" electronics firm immediately to the north, as well as a two-story residence directly to the south were impacted by towering flames, as were to a lesser degree, four other residential buildings in the vicinity. A bold and relentless assault on the flames by 98 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel limited the most serious fire extension to one upstairs room of the neighboring home and surface fire to roof of the electronics firm.

Additionally, four private vehicles sustained significant damage.

Within minutes of the Fire Department's arrival, the fully engulfed upper floor of the 111 year-old wood frame and stucco apartment building began to fail, collapsing upon the first. No residents or firefighters were in harm's way as the flaming remnant of the building crashed to the ground.

Los Angeles Police Officers summoned LAFD Paramedics to a nearby address at the height of the fire to evaluate a man reportedly injured by the blaze, but it was soon determined his minor injuries were not related to the conflagration.

The fire was fully extinguished in just 38 minutes, and no other injuries were reported.

As a result of the fire, as many as ten unrelated adults living separately in the damaged home to the south were directed to seek temporary accommodation - though only one desired placement assistance from the American Red Cross.

Overall loss from the blaze has been estimated at $525,000, while the cause of the fire remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E211 E11 T11 RA811 RA11 E226 E26 T26 E61 SQ21 EM11 BC11 BC1 E10 E13 E6 E229 E29 T29 E261 T61 DC1 EM1 BC18 BC2 T3 E203 RA3 T27 E227 RA827 UR88 BC5 RA27 AR1 AR7

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Injured in Canoga Park Apartment Blaze

CANOGA PARK - Intense flames gutted an under-construction, three-story apartment complex in Canoga Park early Saturday morning. Nearby buildings were spared destruction, however three firefighters were injured.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to 7050 Vassar Avenue, just after midnight on July 7, 2012, to find a 50' x 100' apartment complex, well involved in fire. The building was under various stages of construction, with scaffolding reaching the third floor. Roaring flames on top of the structure stretched over 20' into the sky, threatening nearby buildings.

A bold and well coordinated offensive attack ensued, as firefighters rushed inside with hand-lines, and strategically cut holes on the roof.

Due to the aggressive work of firefighters, the flames were extinguished in just over one hour by nearly 100 Firefighters, all under the command of Battalion Joseph Chief Foley.

Although nearby buildings were spared destruction, approximately seven units were damaged, displacing some residents.

One male firefighter suffered a hand injury and was transported to a local hospital in fair condition, and placed off-duty. Two other male firefighters were evaluated, one for an eye injury, another for illness, however, both remained on-duty.

The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section, and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E72 E105 T105 E305 RA105 RA84 EM17 BC17 E84 E106 E104 E296 T96 E273 T73 DC3 SQ21 BC15 T93 E293 T87 E287 E93 E60 EM15 BC12 BC14 E88 UR88 RA88 T89 E289 RA889 BC10 AR2 E87 T88 E288 DC3 SQ21 BC9 E105 T93 E293 AR2 BC17 DT3 T39 E239 E90 EM17 E93 E98 E39 E88

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Attack Downtown Blaze

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - A large fire broke out today in a one-story commercial building in downtown L.A. Over 100 Firefighters extinguished the blaze before anyone was hurt.

Image courtesy KTLA-TV. Used with permission.

Just after 1:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived at 1221 Hope Street to find heavy smoke pouring out of a 150' x 75' pre-1933 structure.

Firefighters rapidly forced entry and made their way through dark, smoky conditions, bringing hose-lines to the seat of the fire. Truck Companies simultaneously performed strategic vertical ventilation with chainsaws on the roof.

Due to the aggressive attack of Los Angeles Firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Gutierrez, the flames were extinguished in just 34 minutes.

The front portion of this 7,000 square-foot building was filled with artwork by Terrell Moore, the rear portion had a plant growing operation.

The dollar loss is estimated at $300,000 ($200,000 structure and $100,000 contents). The cause of this Greater Alarm fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E210 E10 T10 E9 T9 RA209 E3 RA803 SQ21 EM18 BC13 BC1 E15 RA810 DC1 E13 E215 T15 E4 E226 T26 EM1 BC11 T27 E227 E27 RA27 UR88 BC5 E11 T11 E211 BC18 BC2 MD1 EA1 RA13 RA15 RA4 EM11 RT40 AR7 AR2 SU1

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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