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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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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