SHERMAN OAKS - An "Armenian Christmas" gathering resulted in tragedy for one family in the San Fernando Valley, as they witnessed their Christmas Tree and almost their entire home, go up in flames. One Firefighter was injured.
January 6, 2012 marked Christmas Day for millions of Orthodox Christians the world-over, including our Armenian neighbors - some of which still follow the ancient Julian Calendar and widely consider that date (also referred to as "Little Christmas"), the original Christmas Day.
Tonight, while in the midst of a their familial, religious celebration, one member of an Armenian Family ran into their living room, frightened by the sound of smoke alarms. In that instant, it was already too late. Their massive 20 foot, fully-decorated Christmas Tree was now fully-engulfed in flames. An attempt was made by the homeowner to extinguish the fire with a quickly-drawn garden hose, but that proved to be ineffective. Each family-member then witnessed this horror as they rushed from the home to safety.
At 7:09 pm, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to a reported "Structure Fire" at 5049 North Matilija Avenue to this normally peaceful neighborhood on what should have been a "silent night." First arriving resources encountered "smoke showing" from a 5,500 square-foot, two-story residence. Upon entry into the home, Firefighters made their way to the second floor with hoselines, as the tree had burned completely and already extended up the foyer. The fire on the second floor was quickly extinguished, but not before it found its way up into the large attic space.
The "compartmentalized attic" proved to be challenging, as Firefighters had to chase this pesky fire into small areas of the attic by cutting through several plywood walls. Full-extinguishment was ultimately achieved in one hour and two minutes but not before one Firefighter was treated and transported to a local hospital, having sustained minor injuries during firefighting operations.
Battalion Chief Pete Benesch ran a very well-orchestrated fire and the tireless efforts by all 60 on-scene personnel, helped prevent further damage to this beautiful home, built just three years ago. Despite the mighty efforts by your LAFD, this family had to spend their Christmas Night elsewhere, as a result of the fire-related damage.
Dollar-loss estimates were not yet available and the exact cause of the blaze that ignited the tree, will be a subject of the investigation.
Please let the very unfortunate losses of this family on their Christmas Night, serve as a reminder to all... if you have not yet removed your Christmas Tree from your home, please do so quickly and safely.
And if you do celebrate Christmas today, the LAFD wishes you and your family a very Blessed Christmas Day.
Dispatched Units:
E102 E39 T39 E239 RA39 RA78 EM14 BC14 E60 E88 DC3 E278 T78 SQ21
BC10 RA88 RA102 E89 E227 T27 SQ21 BC12 RA73 EM15 RA102 T60 E260
Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Showing posts with label San Fernando. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Fernando. Show all posts
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Fire Claims Life of Pacoima 'Senior' on Christmas Morn
PACOIMA - The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a small fire on Christmas Morning that sadly claimed the life of a "senior" resident at an independent-living facility.
At 10:19 am, Firefighters responded to a reported "Structure Fire" at 11060 North Norris Avenue. They quickly ascended the six-story "Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa" and had to force-entry into a single unit on the third floor, where they found a smoke-filled apartment.
Quick work was made of the small fire that required merely a single fire-extinguisher. Unfortunately, little time was also required for the fire to have tragically claimed the life of the unit's 90 year-old, female resident. She apparently had lived alone.
The fire-fatality required the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section to respond, where they spent most of Christmas Day conducting their investigation. The fire was deemed "accidental" in nature and Investigators stated "the most probable cause as candles...that appeared to have somehow ignited the victim's clothing." The manner in which that took place is unclear, as the fire remains under active investigation. The victim's official cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. Dollar-loss estimates were not yet available.
The LAFD extends their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, for this tragic loss. Your LAFD is saddened by such incidents and finds them extremely difficult to report, especially on Christmas Day. We do so only to highlight safety and underscore the importance of exercising extreme caution anytime you are around or in use of an open flame, regardless of the source. This holds true not only through the Holiday Season, but at all times.
Friends, there are numerous articles that can be found in our archives, here, on www.fergco.co, some of which are "linked" in this article. Please take the time to review them with your loved ones. Simple steps and observance of key safety tips can help prevent tragedy from occurring.
Please allow yourselves to spend your Holiday Season with family and friends...SAFELY! And from all of us at the Los Angeles Fire Department...today, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!
Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 RA898 E7 RA7 E275 T75 E91 EM15 BC10 BC12 E77 RA98 BC12 AR2 DC3 AR11 AR36
Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
At 10:19 am, Firefighters responded to a reported "Structure Fire" at 11060 North Norris Avenue. They quickly ascended the six-story "Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa" and had to force-entry into a single unit on the third floor, where they found a smoke-filled apartment.
Quick work was made of the small fire that required merely a single fire-extinguisher. Unfortunately, little time was also required for the fire to have tragically claimed the life of the unit's 90 year-old, female resident. She apparently had lived alone.
The fire-fatality required the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section to respond, where they spent most of Christmas Day conducting their investigation. The fire was deemed "accidental" in nature and Investigators stated "the most probable cause as candles...that appeared to have somehow ignited the victim's clothing." The manner in which that took place is unclear, as the fire remains under active investigation. The victim's official cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. Dollar-loss estimates were not yet available.
The LAFD extends their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, for this tragic loss. Your LAFD is saddened by such incidents and finds them extremely difficult to report, especially on Christmas Day. We do so only to highlight safety and underscore the importance of exercising extreme caution anytime you are around or in use of an open flame, regardless of the source. This holds true not only through the Holiday Season, but at all times.
Friends, there are numerous articles that can be found in our archives, here, on www.fergco.co, some of which are "linked" in this article. Please take the time to review them with your loved ones. Simple steps and observance of key safety tips can help prevent tragedy from occurring.
Please allow yourselves to spend your Holiday Season with family and friends...SAFELY! And from all of us at the Los Angeles Fire Department...today, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!
Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 RA898 E7 RA7 E275 T75 E91 EM15 BC10 BC12 E77 RA98 BC12 AR2 DC3 AR11 AR36
Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Brush Fire in Lake View Terrace is Hit Hard and Fast
LAKE VIEW TERRACE - At 2:25 on October 22, 2011, a "Brush Fire" ignited on the fringe of a quiet neighborhood in the north end of the San Fernando Valley at 11880 Terra Vista Way.
Originally reported as a 3-4 acre fire in light-to-medium brush, first on-scene resources found fire moving rapidly, up very steep terrain, towards the front-end of the Angeles National Forest. This brought a swift and heavy response, as 75 Los Angeles Firefighters worked aggressively in the 90 degree heat, to prevent the fire from further spread.
Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 BC12 E77 E24 E91 E7 E275 T75 E274 T74 H0D H0F BC10 E70 E89 H2 H4 H5 WT77 RP88 DC3 T90 E290 H733 AR2 RH114 H0E H0A H1 E90
Article any source
Originally reported as a 3-4 acre fire in light-to-medium brush, first on-scene resources found fire moving rapidly, up very steep terrain, towards the front-end of the Angeles National Forest. This brought a swift and heavy response, as 75 Los Angeles Firefighters worked aggressively in the 90 degree heat, to prevent the fire from further spread.
Assisting the LAFD's efforts, were our partners from neighboring jurisdictions, as Los Angeles County Fire (LACo) and the Angeles National Forest (ANF) both sent fire resources. Additionally, two Quebec Bombardier "Super Scoopers" and the Erickson "Air-Crane" (all on-lease through the Brush Season), as well as four LAFD water-dropping helicopters, delivered very strategic water drops. Together, with the fire crews on the ground, this brush fire was brought under control in just 54 minutes and held to approximately eight acres.
Ground and air crews stayed on-scene for three and half hours, as the burn area was cooled and surveyed to ensure that no embers remained. Careful management of brush incidents in this manner, will prove to be of the utmost importance, as we move deeper into the Brush Season and as we make preparations for our first "wind event," with the "Santa Anas" expected sometime next week.
Ground and air crews stayed on-scene for three and half hours, as the burn area was cooled and surveyed to ensure that no embers remained. Careful management of brush incidents in this manner, will prove to be of the utmost importance, as we move deeper into the Brush Season and as we make preparations for our first "wind event," with the "Santa Anas" expected sometime next week.
No structures were damaged during the firefight; however, there was an incident-related injury reported shortly after the fire was fully extinguished. One ANF Firefighter was transported to a local hospital, via air-ambulance, for heat-related complications.
The cause of the fire is under active investigation.
Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 BC12 E77 E24 E91 E7 E275 T75 E274 T74 H0D H0F BC10 E70 E89 H2 H4 H5 WT77 RP88 DC3 T90 E290 H733 AR2 RH114 H0E H0A H1 E90
Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)