Intense Fire Leads to Collapse of Woodland Hills Home

WOODLAND HILLS - On Saturday September 7, 2013 just before 8:00 PM, Los Angeles Firefighters rapidly made their way up narrow roads to 5219 Calatrana Drive. Arriving firefighters found heavy fire engulfing a three story hillside home and threatening nearby structures and brush.

Fire companies made an aggressive interior fire attack as water dropping helicopters surrounded and extinguished burning vegetation. 30 minutes into the firefight a coordination exit was ordered in anticipation of building collapse. 147 firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox continued exterior operations until extinguishment in one hour and 25 minutes. Fast action by firefighters protected nearby structures and the blaze was confined to the 2,604 square foot, tri-level home.

Three adult occupants, who were not present at the time of the blaze, were displaced from the residence, which was completely destroyed.


During the firefight, limited access and egress, low water pressure, and high ambient temperatures proved challenging for firefighters. The topography of the area presented concerns with water flow to surrounding structures and salvage efforts minimized damage. Fire companies remained on scene throughout the night monitoring flare ups from smoldering materials beneath the collapsed walls.

One Firefighter sustained non life threatening injuries, he was assessed at the scene and returned to work. Dollar loss is still being tabulated and expected to be in excess of one million dollars. The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section.

Dispatched Units: E84 RA84 RA107 E305 T105 E72 E293 E93 T93 EM17 BC17 BC10 E100 E105 H0C H0F H4 H5 E90 E239 T39 E106 E104 E296 T96 E273 T73 DC3 BC14 E260 T60 E98 E107 E103 E288 T88 E70 AR2 BC9 BC12 UR88 T89 E289 UR89 RA89 RA889 E5 BC5 EA1 RA876 E93 RA72 T29 E229 E39 E60 T94 E294 E3 E21 T105 E305 E93 BC17 AR2 T98 E298 T93 E293

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Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Demolishes Two Businesses in Panorama City

PANORAMA CITY - It took the combined effort of 162 Los Angeles Firefighters more than two hours to fully control flames early Wednesday morning, when fire swept through a large building shared by a metal finishing firm and sign manufacturing business in the central San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by the 9-1-1 call of a passerby at 3:14 AM, reporting a fire in or near a one-story industrial building at 14660 Arminta Street in Panorama City.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of a metal plating business housed in a portion of the 200' x 300' structure. A witness thankfully alerted building occupants of the fire, allowing those two men to escape unharmed prior to the Fire Department's arrival.


Within minutes, fire was through the roof of the 61 year-old building - containing hazardous chemicals, causing firefighters to assume a defensive posture to prevent flames from spreading to nearby businesses, while focusing their concern on limiting environmental harm. LAFD Hazardous Materials experts performed multiple assessments of the water runoff and ambient air quality during the relentless battle to control flames. Though one acidic reading was noted in pooled water on the premises, no off-site air or water hazards were specifically identified.

Despite structural compromise, the fire was skillfully confined to the single building of fire origin, with the bulk of flames extinguished in 2 hours and 7 minutes. Spared from fire damage was the attached K & K Design Studios immediately to the west, as well as the neighboring Consolidated Fabricators to the east.

No injuries were reported at the scene of the fire. LAFD personnel remained on-site for more than 24 hours overhauling smoldering debris, assisting a detailed fire cause investigation and supporting County of Los Angeles Health Hazardous Materials Division responders, who will oversee cleanup operations.

Fire loss to Aero Chrome Plating and Nationwide Displays, which were destroyed in the fire, is still being tabulated. The cause of the early morning blaze remains under active investigation.

More than four hours after the flames were extinguished, LAFD crews were summoned to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau Headquarters, four-tenths of a mile northeast of the blaze, where eleven civilian and uniformed workers - who had not responded to the scene, expressed subjective respiratory irritation and general malaise.

One worker was taken to the hospital by colleagues prior to the Fire Department's arrival. Following a comprehensive medical evaluation by LAFD Paramedics, nine of the remaining ten patients declined further medical treatment or transportation by Fire Department ambulance. One woman was taken by LAFD Paramedics to a nearby hospital for further evaluation, her condition was not specified. LAFD personnel were unable to identify any acutely hazardous substance or condition within the police facility that may have been related to the fire.

Dispatched Units: E81 RA881 RA81 E7 E239 T39 E290 E90 T90 EM14 BC10 BC12 E98 E87 SQ87 E298 T98 RA7 RA90 E275 T75 E288 T88 DC3 E100 EM15 EM17 BC14 BC15 UR88 T27 E227 E27 UR27 BC5 T87 E287 RA87 RA27 E60 E39 E88 E293 T93 E289 T89 E273 T73 AR2 EA1 E29 E211 T11 E95 T95 E295 SQ95 RM2 RM3 RT83 RA909 HR56 AR7 E93 T61 E261 T37 E237 E83 T89 E289 E88

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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West Adams Apartment Fire Injures Two and Displaces 14

WEST ADAMS - Quick actions by building staff and rescue efforts by LAFD limits injuries at apartment fire in a senior and disabled living facility.

On August 14, 2013 at 1:15 pm Los Angeles Firefighters were called to 2455 South St Andrews Place in the West Adams district. The LAFD arrived quickly to find black smoke billowing over an eight story apartment structure. Building security informed arriving fire companies of an active fire on the fifth floor.

Firefighters ascended quickly through a stairwell and encountered pressurized heavy black smoke in the fifth floor hallway. Hose lines were pulled from ground level through an adjacent unit to attack the fire. Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fully involved unit. A swift evacuation of ambulatory residents and rescue of the disabled on the fifth floor was simultaneously performed. During the firefight, flames threatening balconies above the blaze were quickly addressed and the fire confined to the involved unit. Under the command of Battalion Chief Joseph Klein, 123 firefighters extinguished the blaze in just 46 minutes.

Initial concerns for the occupants of the residential apartments initiated the call for eight LAFD rescue ambulances. However, an established and practiced building evacuation plan limited injuries. Facility staff was conducting an orderly evacuation of residents living on the two floors above the fire upon arrival of the LAFD. During the firefight it was established the safest plan for residents living in the floors below the fire, was to shelter in place. Upon extinguishment of the blaze a systematic and coordinated evacuation of all residents was executed. Using the established list of disabled residents, firefighters rescued occupants requiring assistance.

Occupants were evacuated to a courtyard behind the building where staff accounted for all residents. Of the five occupants assessed by the LAFD, four were evaluated and did not require further care. One adult female was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. One firefighter sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported in fair condition. 

The unit consumed by fire and the nine other units with smoke damage were deemed uninhabitable, displacing 14 residents. The American Red Cross was called and assisted in relocation of the displaced residents. The cause of this blaze was determined to be accidental in nature. Dollar loss was estimated at $125,000 ( 100,000 structure and 25,000 contents)

Dispatched units: E26 RA826 E34 E15 T15 E215 SQ21 T29 RA29 EM11 BC11 BC18 E10 T26 E226 E294 T94 E46 DC1 EM13 BC13 T3 E203 E3 UR3 RA3 RA803 UR88 BC1 RA2 RA10 EM5 RA66 T66 E266 E229 E227 T27 BC5 E66 RA837 E94 E211 T11 AR1 EA1 RT59

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Destroys Glassell Park Market

GLASSELL PARK - On August 4, 2013, Los Angeles Firefighters battled intense flames at a one-story market in northeast Los Angeles.

Just before 9:00 pm firefighters were called to 3342 Verdugo Road. Upon arrival, they found fire burning through the roof of the Verdugo Rancho Market. Thankfully, the market was closed at the time and all occupants were out of the building.


Firefighters were met with a large volume of fire and made an aggressive interior attack while vertical ventilation was performed on the roof. Under the command of Battalion Chief Phillip Fligiel, additional LAFD resources were requested to aid in the battle of the intense blaze. The fire load in the approximately 100’ by 100’ market and fierce flames quickly made the roof unstable and necessitated a coordinated retreat of firefighters. A defensive exterior fire attach ensued. Roof collapse and structural compromise of two exterior walls proved challenging during the firefight. 125 firefighters contained the blaze to the fire building, extinguishing the flames in just over two hours.

One firefighter suffered a minor eye injury, was treated at the scene and returned to work. The market was consumed by fire, with loss estimated at $1.8 million ($1,000,000 structure and $800,000 contents). The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E250 T50 E55 RA55 E44 RA844 EM1 BC1 E12 E42 E56 RA56 E201 T1 E212 T12 DC1 BC11 BC5 E3 T27 E227 UR27 RA927 UR88 BC14 E27 RA827 RA27 E233 T33 E211 T11 T29 E229 RA850 T3 E203 E61 E211 T11 EA1 AR1 E94 E260 T60 T2 E202 E66 DT1 T2 E202 E66 T15 E215 E11 E21 T50 E250 TP2 TP3 LD1 LD2 DT2 RA909 BC1 AR1 T12 E10 RA894 E12 E212 E12 RA909

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Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Massive Blaze Causes $2.5M Damage to Sun Valley Furniture Firm

SUN VALLEY - A massive blaze Monday evening in a northeast San Fernando Valley industrial enclave put scores of Los Angeles Firefighters to the test, as the inferno combined with high outdoor temperature and humidity to make an overtly oppressive battle.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by a passerby who called 9-1-1 at 5:09 PM on July 1, 2013 to report smoke showing from a large one-story industrial building at 9415 Telfair Avenue.

Arriving quickly, LAFD crews discovered increasingly heavy smoke from the 200' x 75' structure of cinder-block construction, that was well secured and unoccupied at the end of the business day.

As teams of firefighters took to the roof, their colleagues extended large diameter hose lines to each side of the building and used power saws to force their way through rolling steel doors in an attempt to gain access to the seat of increasingly intense flames that fed on material and remnants of furniture manufacturing, as well as chemicals and cardboard used in furniture finishing and shipping.

With ambient temperature of 95°F, relative humidity of at least 23% and variable winds up to 9 miles per hour, the conditions were difficult for the 161 LAFD personnel assigned to the incident.

A sudden yet predictable failure of the lightweight roof allowed flames and smoke to tower in the sky, as Assistant Chief Trevor Richmond coordinated a smooth and safe transition to defensive tactics, bringing large hose streams to bear on the flames from ground crews and several aerial ladders at the periphery of the building.

The flames were confined to the building of fire origin, and extinguished in 1 hour and 52 minutes. LAFD crews spent an additional 15.5 hours on-site performing salvage and overhaul at the business, which was heavily damaged in the conflagration.

Though several firefighters were assessed and treated at scene to combat the effect of dehydration throughout the firefight and recovery operation, none required ambulance transport to the hospital.

Fire loss to Kalfon Crafts Corporation, a maker of furniture & cabinetry, has been estimated at $2,500,000 ($1,000,000 structure and $1,500,000 contents).

The cause of this early evening blaze remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Dispatched Units: E77 E298 E98 T98 E289 T89 RA889 E7 RA81 EM14 BC12 BC14 E81 E260 E60 T60 E239 E39 T39 DC3 EM15 BC10 T27 E227 UR27 E5 UR88 BC5 RA27 RA827 E27 RA39 EM9 EM10 E90 E275 T75 E91 E290 T90 AR2 RA898 MD1 RT83 RA77 BC1 E287 T87 E11 E237 T37 E24 E274 T74 E86 EA2 BC15 BC17 DT1 HU89 SQ21 BC1 SQ87 E105 T88 E288 E66 T94 E294 T15 E215 E88 E89 E98 AR2 AR3 AR23

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Rescue Scores of Animals from Hollywood Pet Store Fire

EAST HOLLYWOOD - A fast-moving fire at dawn Monday in a pet store, led to the dramatic rescue by firefighters of more than a hundred animals, before the intense blaze was brought under control.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 6:07 AM on June 10, 2013 to 1183 North Vermont Avenue, where they discovered heavy smoke showing from the roof of a one-story 120' x 110' L-shaped shopping center.
Forcing entry into well-secured businesses - including the heavily smoke charged Kim's Pets and Fish, teams of firefighters began the swift rescue of imperiled animals from pens, cages and aquariums as flames raged overhead.

LAFD personnel swiftly took to the roof of what proved to be two interconnected buildings, to commence a short-lived effort at vertical ventilation, before the roof proved untenable and collapsed into the premises below.

As firefighters made a decisive stand against flames deep within ornamental framework that connected the two buildings, their colleagues continued to push back fire with hose lines inside the burning pet store, supporting the ongoing removal of birds, mice, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles and 25 puppies - all of which were rescued unscathed.

The relentless effort of 138 Los Angeles Firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, brought the stubborn flames under control in just 55 minutes.

Though no human injuries were reported, smoke and structural collapse led to the demise of several birds, fish and reptiles who proved beyond LAFD help.

During final fire extinguishment, the discovery of several turtles trapped deep within debris buoyed the spirits of firefighters, who soon formed a human chain to crawl beneath tons of unstable and smoldering rubbish to safely rescue the reclusive reptiles prior to the application of firefighting foam, which would have led to their demise.

Monetary loss from the blaze, which heavily damaged the southwest portion of one non-fire sprinklered building, was still being tabulated late Monday. Los Angeles Fire Department Investigators determined the fire, which originated in the attic above the pet store, to be accidental in nature.

Dispatched Units: E235 T35 RA835 RA35 E82 E6 E52 E220 T20 EM11 BC5 BC11 E29 E56 E13 E229 T29 E250 T50 DC3 EM2 BC2 T3 E203 E3 UR3 RA3 RA803 UR88 BC1 E11 BC14 BC18 E227 T27 E211 AR2 E33 E202 T2 E60 E215 T15 EA2 RA892 EA1 AR17 RT59 AR1

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Three Firefighters Injured in Arson Hollywood Apartment Blaze

HOLLYWOOD - The Los Angeles Fire Department battled a long and intensive fight in an intentionally set fire that scorched an apartment building in Hollywood, leaving three firefighters injured and 42 residents displaced.

 

Just before 11:00 AM on May 31, 2013 Los Angeles Firefighters responded to a Structure Fire at 5957 Barton Avenue, near Santa Monica Boulevard and Gower Street. They arrived on scene to find a two-story apartment building on a raised foundation with smoke billowing from small basement windows. Additional firefighters were quickly requested.

An aggressive attack ensued that was concentrated on the basement area near a laundry room and a simultaneous search was performed to ensure all residents and pets were safely out. Firefighters had a long and exhaustive battle ahead...

    Flames continued to creep inside the walls and climb up pipe alleys, around 3" gaps in fire blocking in some places, and quietly across the attic of the structure. Firefighters thoroughly went through all 16 smoke charged apartment units using thermal imaging cameras to sense heat and flames hidden behind the walls, and remained on scene for hours suppressing stubborn hot-spots and flare-ups. In approximately two and a half hours 155 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Charles Butler, were confident of a complete knock down of the blaze and performed a thorough overhaul and salvage of property. Then a list was created of resident's important belongings inside and firefighters searched through the debris to find them and bring them to the owners.

Several arson investigators remained on scene for hours carefully combing through debris, examining fire patterns, using highly trained K9's, and talking with bystanders. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson and it remains under active investigation.

The total estimated dollar loss was $1.2 million ($1,100,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The Department of Building and Safety, "Red Tagged" the structure, deeming it unsafe for entry. The Red Cross arranged temporary housing for the renters in a nearby shelter.

It is important to note that hard wired smoke alarms with battery backup, appropriate to city building code, provided the occupants early detection and allowed for safe self evacuation.

Three firefighters were injured: One suffered burns to his hands, another a laceration to his hand, both were transported to local hospitals. A third firefighter suffered heat exhaustion from the battle and was treated but did not require transport. No civilians were injured.

We strongly encourage anyone with information that may assist the investigative efforts to please contact the Arson Counter-Terrorism Section at (213) 893-9800.

Dispatched Units: E227 T27 RA827 E52 E82 RA26 EM18 BC5 E76 T61 E261 E27 E235 T35 AR2 EA1 E202 T2 E3 E27 E10 E229 T29 E294 T94 RA61 DC3 EM5 BC18 BC14 T3 E203 UR3 E89 UR88 BC1 RA803 RA27 RA41 EM18 E12 E82 E235 T35 RM2 SQ21 RA892 RT59 AR1 AR23 AR9 AR17 E94 T33 E233 E37 T88 E288 RA27 T11 E211

(Raw Video Clip)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire Destroys Fabric Wholesale Firm in Downtown L.A.

LOS ANGELES - More than 130 Los Angeles Firefighters fiercely battled flames early Thursday morning, when a major emergency fire erupted in a textile firm in downtown L.A.'s Warehouse District.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified of the blaze at 2:07 AM on April 18, 2013 by Los Angeles Police Officers on patrol, who noted fire within a fabric business at 710 East 7th Street.

Firefighters arrived quickly and forced entry to find heavy fire deep within the building laden with flammable products. An aggressive interior effort to subdue flames was made possible by LAFD crews opening the roof with chainsaws to release intense heat, smoke and flame.

The twenty minute interior offensive under the guidance of Assistant Chief Emile Mack was successful in saving the business office - before a severe structural compromise of the rest of the building forced a transition to defensive tactics, with the exterior use of heavy streams. The strongly held defensive posture of 133 firefighters prevented flames from spreading to nearby businesses.

The fire was controlled in just 92 minutes, as firefighters again entered the heavily damaged building to complete their task. Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters - including some using Fire Department bulldozers, ultimately labored for more than eighteen hours to salvage essential belongings and assure complete ember extinguishment among tons of stacked and rack mounted fabric.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Sharp Fabric is still being tabulated. The cause of the early morning inferno remains undetermined.

Dispatched Units: E9 T9 RA809 RA209 E4 E10 T10 E210 SQ21 EM1 BC1 BC11 E15 E17 E3 T3 E203 DC1 E211 T11 EM11 BC13 T27 E227 E27 UR27 RA27 RA827 UR88 BC5 RA900 E2 E202 T2 EA1 RA10 RA858 RT59 AR1 DT1 TP2 TP3 LD1 LD2 DT2 DT3 EA1 T3 E203 E12 E3 T2 E202

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Battle Massive Koreatown Blaze

KOREATOWN - Over 148 Los Angeles Firefighters battled an unrelenting fire in a large three story, six unit, apartment building, where one firefighter was injured.

On April 15, 2013, just after 2:00 AM, firefighters arrived at 3390 West San Marino Street, to find fire coming from the attic of a three story U-shaped apartment building. An aggressive fire attack was made on this 100’ by 300’, 81 year old structure. Initial concerns of occupants at this early morning blaze were put at ease when it was confirmed to be a vacant building under renovation. A thorough search continued during the fire fight to ensure there were also no transients inside. This massive structure proved challenging with the attic fully involved in fire, compromised stairwells, and debris that spread fire throughout all floors.

Firefighters aggressively fought this blaze from the interior while additional companies provided vertical ventilation on the roof. After nearly an hour of intense flames, the remaining uncut sections of roof began to sag. Firefighters were immediately evacuated from the compromised roof, without incident.

LAFD fire companies, under the command of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, had the bulk of the fire extinguished in 90 minutes. Companies remained on scene for several hours to perform a complete overhaul.

The Department of Building and Safety, "Red Tagged" the structure, deeming it unsafe for entry. The dollar loss is still being tabulated. The cause of this early morning fire remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Counter Terrorism Section, who is considering it suspicious in nature. The injured firefighter sustained minor, non life threatening injuries.

Assistant Chief Robert Franco commends firefighters on confining the flames to the building of origin. Noting their aggressive fire attack prevented damage to an adjacent school that was able to conduct classes today. "Firefighters did a good job, it was an intense fire fight", Franco said.

Dispatched Units: E229 RA858 E29 T29 RA829 RA29 E13 E226 E26 T26 EM11 BC11 BC5 E52 E211 E11 T11 E6 E10 T10 E210 E261 T61 DC1 EM1 BC18 T27 E227 E3 UR3 RA3 UR88 BC1 E61 E215 E15 T15 T92 E292 AR1 BC9 BC13 T94 E294 RA13 RA52 AR1 EA1 RT59 E66 E233 T33 E34 RT59 SU2

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Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Major Emergency Structure Fire Injures 14 in San Pedro Hotel

SAN PEDRO - Fourteen people were treated for injuries, and 12 were transported to hospitals, three in critical condition, after an early morning fire erupted in a San Pedro hotel.

Just after 3:30 AM on January 22, 2013, local firefighters returning from a medical emergency on 12th Street located a structure fire at 1001 South Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro, before any 9-1-1 calls were received.

A 35 unit two-story Center Hallway Hotel, built in 1923, had one unit on the first floor well involved in flames that were lapping up to the second story.

The blaze spread rapidly causing one adult female occupant to jump from the second story due to extreme heat and smoke. She suffered a extremity fracture. Additional occupants were threatening to jump, however firefighters swiftly raised ladders to the second story windows and rescued occupants hanging out of them.

Additional Companies were immediately requested. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack with hose-lines while colleagues performed vertical ventilation with chainsaws to release hot gasses and heat, assisting the attack, control, and ability to extinguish the fire.

Simultaneously a rapid search of the 7,748 square-foot building ensued, and all occupants were promptly evacuated.

A total of 150 Los Angeles Firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Patrick Butler, extinguished the blaze in 34 minutes. Seven of the 35 small units were damaged, two extensively.

All 12 of the injured that required transport to local hospitals were triaged as needing "immediate" medical assistance. Among those transported was a male who had sustained severe burns from the fire. The 69 year-old male, whose name is not being released at this time, pending notification to his family, sadly died from his wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Also transported was a police officer who suffered smoke inhalation trying to get people out of the building. Firefighters also rescued a cat, provided it with oxygen and searched for a missing small dog.

A MTA bus provided temporary shelter from the cold for the approximate 30 displaced occupants, until assistance from the American Red Cross was received.

The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by Los Angeles Police Departments’ Robbery-Homicide Division and LAFD's Arson Section who utilized an Accelerant Detecting K9 to assist. There were functional smoke alarms, but no fire sprinklers.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Dispatched Units: E112 E248 E48 T48 RA848 E36 RA36 E285 T85 EM13 BC6 BC13 E49 RA101 RA85 EM11 E101 E40 E264 T64 E221 T21 SQ21 DC1 EM1 BC11 E85 UR85 T5 E205 UR88 BC4 T33 E233 RA112 E38 RA38 E79 RA79 RA264 RA64 E57 RA257 E226 T26 E295 T95 E211 T11 AR1 E65 E64 RA17 RA46 RA21 AR7 RA5 RA101 AR9 RA112 RA101 RA848 RT40 T94 E294

This fire "is being treated as criminal in nature''. - LAFD PIO Captain Jaime Moore.

"It is fortunate firefighters arrived so quickly to this tragic incident, even before a 9-1-1 call was received, and were able to rapidly rescue occupants hanging from second story windows. It had the potential to be much worse." -Erik Scott, LAFD Spokesman.

(KTLA VIDEO) (Fox LA VIDEO) (CBS VIDEO)
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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125 Los Angeles Firefighters Battle Sun Valley Commercial Building Blaze

SUN VALLEY - A hit-and-run driver struck a power pole in Sun Valley, causing a power surge inside a business, creating a fire that heavily damaged a commercial building Saturday morning.

At 3:05 a.m. on December 8th, 2012, Los Angeles Firefighters responded to what was originally reported as a transformer problem at 10817 Sherman Way, across the street from Bob Hope Airport. As firefighters arrived on scene, a security guard assisted them inside a large single-story concrete commercial building which was heavily charged with smoke. Additional firefighters were rapidly requested.

An aggressive attack ensued as firefighters surrounded the unoccupied building. Hoselines were brought inside the 8,400 square-foot structure and firefighters above performed louvered vertical ventilation on the lightweight panelized roof, assisting in preventing fire spread.

Due to well entrenched flames and the threat of heavy air conditioning units falling through the weakening roof on firefighters inside, a defensive attack was ordered. Firefighters got out of the roughly 150' x 100' building and poured on water from the perimeter. However, quick progress was made and an offensive attack was once again made.

A Knockdown of the Major Emergency Structure Fire was obtained by approximately 125 firefighters, under the direction of Battalion Chief Randy Beaty, in one hour and 20 minutes. Due to the hard work of firefighters, the blaze was contained to the building of origin, sparing adjacent businesses from damage. A fire wall assisted in preventing the spread of flames. No one was injured.

"It was a difficult fire in that the mezzanine area was hard to get to, we had to bring ladders into the inside of the structure, and actually put water down on top of the fire," said Assistant Chief Andy Fox with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The business which occupied one quarter of a long subdivided building was Wet Design, which makes elaborate fountains and attractions. Their famous work can be found in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas and The Grove in Los Angeles, among other projects throughout the world.

Intense flames destroyed a 75 'x 100' portion of the roof, along with equipment and company records. The dollar loss is being tabulated, preliminary estimations are over a million dollars.

Dispatched Units: E89 E289 T89 RA89 RA889 E77 E260 E60 T60 EM14 BC14 BC12 E81 E102 E24 E7 E239 E39 T39 E298 T98 E278 T78 E274 T74 DC3 SQ21 EM11 BC5 T88 E288 E88 UR88 RA88 BC10 E86 RA77 EA1 AR2 E98 E87 BC11

(PHOTOS)
Submitted by Erik Scott & David Ortiz, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Echo Park Blaze Damages Businesses, Injures Firefighter

ECHO PARK - A conflagration in a three-story office building alongside the Hollywood Freeway slowed traffic Tuesday night, as it damaged six businesses and sent one firefighter to the hospital.

The fire was reported on October 9, 2012 at 9:57 PM, bringing the quick response of firefighters to 1625 Palo Alto Street in Echo Park, where they discovered heavy fire to the rear of a tri-level multi-tenant commercial building.
With vegetation and the structure burning intensely on the north side of the building, teams of firefighters made forcible entry from the east and west to search the premises and protect contents while mounting an interior offense on the flames with handlines.

It was a difficult battle.

To assist the firefight and limit the spread of flame, more than a dozen LAFD personnel took to the building's 80' x 100' roof with chainsaws to strategically vent heat and smoke, in an attempt to stem the forward progress of the fire and make the building's interior more tenable for their colleagues below fighting flames and salvaging business records.

Despite oppressive conditions on the third and second floor, a tenacious firefighting offense continued there for nearly one-half hour, until physical compromise of the structure forced a well-coordinated transition to defensive operations with the external application of heavy streams.

Though as many as five firefighters were examined for potential injury, only one LAFD member required hospital care for a pair of painful dime-sized burns to his neck. In good condition, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance for first care, where he was treated and released.

No other injuries were reported.

It took the combined effort of 125 Los Angeles Firefighters less than two hours to fully extinguish the flames. The fire was confined to the structure of origin, with the bulk of fire damage limited to the attic, entire third floor and a portion of the second floor. Thanks to comprehensive salvage efforts by LAFD responders, a great number of business records were spared damage from flames or water, as was a good portion of the building's first floor.

The varied damage from fire to the businesses, including a button manufacturer, house of worship, janitorial service, auto loan firm and two printing businesses, is still being tabulated. The cause of this late night blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E220 T20 RA20 E6 RA6 E11 EM11 BC11 E52 T11 E211 E12 E9 T9 E3 T3 E203 RA3 RA803 EM1 E233 T33 E15 DC1 E27 E235 T35 SQ21 BC1 T10 E210 BC5 BC2 RA29 RA46 UR88 E226 T26 E2 AR1 E21 EA1 T94 E294 T64 E264 T29 E229 E17 AR7 AR17 T26 E226 BC11 AR17

[ photos ]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Battle 90 Acre Brush Fire Near Sepulveda Pass

BEL AIR - A 90 acre wildfire in the Sepulveda Pass threatened Bel-Air canyon estates, congested traffic across the Westside, and had firefighters relentlessly battling flames for three days in record-breaking heat.

On September 14, 2012 at 3:36 PM, a fire broke out along Sepulveda Boulevard near Getty Center Drive, just east of the 405 freeway. First arriving firefighters reported two acres burning in heavy brush. The blaze quickly spread beyond the capability of the initial responders and further assistance was immediately requested.

Weather conditions included extreme heat and low relative humidity. The Brush Burning Index was High at a reading of 104. The lack of strong wind was the only help mother nature provided firefighters.

An aggressive attack with hose-lines and precise aerial water drops ensued as flames quickly continued to spread eastward to over 10 acres. Firefighters were strategically placed to protect threatened residences. Additional air support was needed as well as assistance from neighboring departments. Los Angeles County FD helicopters, hand crews, and fixed winged Super Scoopers were deployed to help battle the blaze. In addition, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and Santa Monica Fire Departments assisted the LAFD. At the peak of the fire there were over three hundred firefighters from five agencies fighting the blaze, many of whom kept the devastating 1961 Bel-Air fire in the back of their minds.

Even with all this manpower and equipment the flames quickly scorched 70 acres and was 40% contained by 7:00 PM Friday. Crews continued to tirelessly hike ridge lines, using hand tools to cut a fire barrier.

No formal evacuations were issued, however residents were cautioned to be ready to leave at a moment's notice if conditions worsened. At one point on Friday, The Getty Center voluntarily evacuated, eight Torahs were removed from Leo Baeck Temple as a precaution, and Mount St. Mary's College cleared the campus. Later that evening Sepulveda Boulevard reopened to commuters, which alleviated traffic havoc in an area already cluttered with construction equipment associated with the widening of the freeway.

Rotating shifts of firefighters remained on scene for three days, then early Sunday afternoon they peered victoriously over 90 scorched acres that was finally 100% contained. Firefighters then began picking up thousands of feet of hose-line and equipment draped across steep rugged terrain.

Once units demobilized, two Brush Patrols and one Engine Company maintained a "Fire Watch" to quickly extinguish any possible flare-ups until a reevaluation on Monday morning.

Due to the tenacious work and amazing job of all firefighters and many allied agencies, all under the command of Assistant Chief Kwame Cooper, we are proud to state that no structures were damaged and no one was injured.

The cause of the fire in under active investigation.

Dispatched LAFD Units: E19 E71 E37 E59 E237 T37 E289 T89 E292 T92 H0B H0C BC9 BC18 E62 E109 E90 H1 H3 RA88 DC3 T90 E290 WT88 RA909 T39 E239 E99 E39 E102 T60 E260 EM9 BC14 E58 T63 E263 T61 E261 E41 E27 E6S E84 WT77 RA37 BC4 BC17 CP2 RM2 E105 E87 E7 T93 E293 E86 E26 E15 E94 E5 T33 E233 BP23 BP83 BP78 BP28 BP8 HL1 LO1 H2 E63 E34 T26 E226 E10 E95 E100 T11 E211 E103 E72 E8 RA90 T90 E290 BC10 RA19 RA92 RA69 EM88 EM14 BC5 BC11 DC715 CW3A CW3B RA860 AR2 E41 H733 AR2 EL83 E11 E9 E98 E12 E61 E48 H1 E29 E2 EA1 E67 E97 E14 E18 BP41 BC1 BC12 RA58 E83 RT83 E27 E10 E3 E21 EM9 E37 E63 E33 E64 E66 E94 E95 E52 E85 E34 E100 E13 E7 E36 E39 E93 T20 E220 E60 E87 BC5 BC10 BC11 RA209 RA257 BP84 BP98 DT3 RA858 E6 H4 E469 BP94 BP28 BP84 EA1 WT88 AR2 BP8 BP94 BP78 E450 E401 BP28 E88 E5 E95 BC9 E435 BC11 LO1 RA15 BC707

(VIDEO) (VIDEO) (PHOTOS)

Submitted by Erik Scott & Cecil Manresa, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Battles Stubborn Flames in Massive Construction Debris Pile

SUN VALLEY - More than 120 Los Angeles Firefighters labored in rotating teams for more than 11 hours on Thursday, to fully extinguish a stubborn recycling yard blaze in the northeast San Fernando Valley that sent one firefighter to the hospital.


The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 4:03AM on August 23, 2012 to the Waste Management recycling facility at 11606 Sheldon Street in Sun Valley, where they discovered a deep-seated blaze in a massive "football-field-sized" construction debris pile being processed for recycling.

Through the initial assistance of an on-site tractor operator, later supplemented by a pair of LAFD operated bulldozers, firefighters spread and doused the pile with water and firefighting foam, containing the blaze in less than five hours and fully extinguishing the flames by 2:00PM.

With smoke hanging low in the sky, and dozens of fire apparatus and fire hose deployed along Sheldon Street, the industrial thoroughfare was closed for nine hours, as LAFD crews completed their battle against seemingly implacable flames.

At the height of the battle, one LAFD Firefighter sustained a significant hand laceration and could not continue duty. He was taken to an area hospital for first care, where he was treated and released.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Dispatched Units: E77 RA77 E298 E98 T98 E24 E89 T89 E289 E274 T74 DC3 SQ21 EM14 BC12 RA909 TP2 DT3 DT2 LD1 E87 SQ87 E7 E260 T60 BC14 FT17 E17 RA98 RT83 TP1 E24 EA1 E87 RA60 T78 E278 EM14 E39 T2 E202 T11 E211 RA889

[video]

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Battle Heat, Tough Attic Fire in North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD- Firefighters endured triple-digit temperatures this afternoon and a tough attic-fire, that tore through a six-unit apartment complex. Thirteen residents were displaced. No injuries were reported.



At 1:47 PM on Thursday, August 9, 2012, when scorching temperatures were at their peak, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to 10519 Edison Way for a reported "Structure Fire." First on-scene resources were greeted by a fire that had consumed at least one unit on the ground floor of a two-story apartment complex.

The blaze proved to be quite stubborn, as it found its way to the second floor and ultimately into the attic. As the extended firefight began on a large and extremely hot roof, additional companies were called to assist. The fire ripped through a large section of the attic and at least one of the units, resulting in a partial roof collapse, while 119 Firefighters engaged the intense heat andflames. This heavy response enabled the Incident Commander to rotate companies through emergency operations, providing them some respite from the heat.

Full-extinguishment of the blaze was achieved in 43 minutes, but the damage was severe, as all six units of the apartment complex were affected. Unfortunately, 13 individuals that called the apartments "home," were displaced and required assistance from the local Red Cross.

Dollar-loss estimates were not yet available and the exact cause of the fire remains under active investigation. No injuries were reported from the scene.

DISPATCHED UNITS: E260 E60 T60 RA860 E86 RA39 EM14 BC14 E102 DC3 E289 T89 E77 RA60 E76 E278 T78 E39 E288 T88 SQ21 EM88 BC12 E27 E227 T27 UR88 RA88 BC10 T39 E239 BC11 BC5 E81 E98 E475 E88 E278 T78 AR2 E235 T35 T26 E226 EA1 RT83 E2 T87 E287 E105

[ photos ]

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighter Injured, Beverly Park Mansion Saved

BEVERLY PARK - A firefighter was injured battling a large mansion fire in a gated Beverly Park community Friday evening, June 29, 2012. Due to firefighters' aggressive and coordinated attack, the vast majority of the multimillion dollar residence was saved.

A 9-1-1 call summoned scores of Los Angeles Firefighters to 50 Beverly Park Way, just West of Coldwater Canyon Drive, between Mulholland Drive and Sunset Boulevard at 6:30 p.m.

First arriving firefighters forced entry through the ground's gates to find moderate smoke pouring from the roof of the two-story French chateau-style mansion. Additional firefighters were immediately requested. Entry was again forced, this time into the 15,480 square-foot residence. Meanwhile, the well entrenched flames were rapidly spreading throughout the attic above.

Fire attack teams quickly deployed hand-lines in an effort to stop the spread throughout the interior, and were assisted by residential fire sprinklers. Simultaneously, roof teams aggressively cut holes on top of the structure to release super heated gases from below, as flames began burning through the roof allowing it to self ventilate. Shortly thereafter, portions of the roof and the ceiling inside collapsed. Additional firefighters directed their efforts to protect contents inside the home from flame, heat, smoke and water damage.

Over 100 Los Angeles Firefighters, along with assistance from Beverly Hills Fire Department, all under the command of Assistant Chief Michael Little, fully extinguished the blaze in just over one hour. Due to the incredible job of firefighters, the flames were confined to the house of origin and the majority of this beautiful home was saved.

A Beverly Hills Firefighter was injured after a beam struck him in the head. He was rapidly treated and transported by LAFD Firefighter/Paramedics and taken to a local hospital in serious but stable condition. No civilians were injured.

Preliminary information of what may have sparked the blaze is an exterior waterproofing operation that utilized a torch by workers. However, a thorough investigation by LAFD Arson Investigators will determine the exact cause. The dollar loss is estimated at $1.25 million ($1 million structure and $250,000 contents).

The mansion was a former home of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, whom sated to a NBCLA reporter, "...possessions, houses they can be replaced, you know, my heart goes out to the Firefighter that was injured..."

Dispatched Units: E108 E278 T78 E97 E99 E102 E71 E86 H0A H0B BC14 BC10 E60 H1 H3 E90 H6 E288 T88 BC18 BC9 E39 RA78 E58 E239 T39 DC3 E289 T89 SQ21 EM14 RA99 RA97 RA71 EM9 BC17 BC5 RT83 E27 UR88 T27 E227 HR56 BC4 E61 AR2 E94 E292 T92 E237 T37 EA1 T66 E266 T26 E226 T29 E229 E12 E64 T85 E285 E48 SU2 RA59 T26 E226
           (PHOTOS)
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

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Injury, Death and Destruction Follow Shooting, Major Emergency Fire

HOLLYWOOD - Gun-shots fired in a relatively quiet neighborhood today, resulted in multiple victims, a Major Emergency Structure Fire and two deaths. No Fire or Police were injured.

At 12:41 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2012, LAPD Officers accompanied by Los Angeles Firefighters responded to a reported shooting at 517 North Harvard Boulevard. Upon arrival, they were greeting by three adults: one 34 year-old male and two 38 year-old females, all suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. A domestic dispute in the nearly 100 year-old single family dwelling, may have precipitated the gunfire. Acting without hesitation, the Officers and Firefighters rapidly extracted all three individuals from the residence, before discovering a quickly developing fire at the rear of the structure.

Adding to the chaos, were reports that the shooter was still in the residence and may have been holding one additional victim. The potential of this incident brought a swift and heavy response, with 150 Firefighters pouring into the Hollywood neighborhood.

The inherent risks of the incident were carefully considered by the Unified Command. With a reported shooter-at-large and a now, fully-developed structure fire, the safety and security of all personnel became the primary objective. With Firefighters unable make an interior fire-attack and untenable conditions in the structure eliminating the probability of survival, it was determined the best course of action was to let the fire burn itself out.

Hoselines were placed on each side of the approximate 2,600 square-foot home, as were armed LAPD Officers to provide force protection to Firefighters. The strategy was to prevent the fire from extending to the adjacent exposures by simply controlling it.

Full-extinguishment came 2 hours and 30 minutes later. Unfortunately, the discovery of two bodies also came, by way of our LAFD Cadaver Search Dog and its handler. They were aided by two others canines from Ventura County Fire Department. One of the bodies is believed to have been the shooter, of unknown age. Both bodies will be positively identified by the LA County Department of Coroner, as will the exact cause of death.

  

The three injured adults were all transported in critical condition to local hospitals. Both the fire and the crime scene are part of an active, joint investigation by the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section and the LAPD. While dollar-loss estimates were not yet available, the structure was a total loss. There were no reported injuries to LAFD or LAPD personnel.

Dispatched Units:
E11 RA6 RA20 T29 E29 E229 EM11 BC5 E61 RA82 RA41 RA56 EM2 EM9 E82 E235 T35 E227 BC11 BC2 BC13 DC2 E27 T27 UR3 RA3 HR56 UR88 BC1 UR27 RA827 E211 T11 E6 E15 E220 T20 SQ21 CM3 RA4 AR7 RA52 RA78 H2 E21 E3 E12 E202 T2 E226 T26 EA1 RT59 E56 AR1 RA867 RA867 E90 AR3 AR10 E91 RM2 SU1 AR36 E2 T12 E212 T3 E203

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

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Major Emergency Structure Fire in Van Nuys Injures 2 LA Firefighters

VAN NUYS - Over 125 Los Angeles Firefighters extinguished an enormous fire in a 150' x 100' one-story commercial building in just under two hours, where two Los Angeles Firefighters were injured. 

Just after 5:00 pm on Wednesday February 15th 2012, firefighters arrived to find fire blowing out one unit of a strip mall, located at 6600 North Van Nuys Boulevard. Waves of additional firefighters were requested.

Extensive amounts of smoke could be seen for miles as it lingered low to the ground due to a heavy marine layer and slowly pushed south by light winds.

The structure located was of older construction with a conventional roof, parapet, and a common attic space. The open area under the roof allowed fire to rapidly spread across the tops of three business before hitting large division walls, halting the advancement of the flames.

Shortly into the extended battle, firefighters switched into a defensive attack. Truck Companies quickly finished cutting holes on the roof with chainsaws. Fire blew through the roof forcing firefighters to rapidly exit. Firefighters on the ground used large 2 1/2" hose-lines along with ladder pipe operations, where copious amounts of water was sprayed from the end of extended aerial ladder trucks, capable of 2000 gallons per minute, into the structure.

Three separate stores were damaged, doing business as: First Bargin Center, Birrieria Luita, and El Pantalon.

The blaze was fully extinguished in one hour and 53 minutes before any adjacent buildings were damaged.

Two firefighters received minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals in fair condition.

The dollar loss is still being tabulated and the cause is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E239 T39 E81 E102 E288 E88 T88 RA88 RA889 EM14 BC10 BC14 E100 E39 RA39 E289 E89 T89 E7 E90 RA100 E83 RA83 E278 T78 E298 T98 E273 T73 DC3 SQ21 EM15 EM17 EM9 BC12 UR88 BC5 AR2 RT83 EA1 RM2 E87 E60 E93 E287 T87 E305 T105 E237 T37 BC17 BC18 AR23 RA7 RA99 RA60 MD1

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Major Emergency Structure Fire Injures Firefighter

SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES - Over 100 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a Major Emergency Structure Fire in a furniture warehouse, doing business as C&L Furniture. One firefighter sustained minor burns from the intense heat.


On January 30th, 2012, just after 8 AM, firefighters arrived in less than three minutes to 6245 South Manhattan Place. Fortunately, occupants had just exited the 100' x 60' metal clad commercial building that was rapidly filling with black smoke and fire.

It was quickly realized that a long battle was about to begin, and additional companies were immediately requested. As firefighters entered a loading dock alley on the west side of the structure, they encountered roaring flames. Rotary saws were utilized to force entry through gates and cut through the metal clad sides of the building, allowing firefighters to make access and attack the blaze with hose-lines. Due to the heavy fire load and the construction of the 42 year-old structure, it was deemed unsafe for firefighters to perform vertical ventilation on the roof, however they remained in an intensive, offensive attack.

A total of 136 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Carlos Calvillo, confined the fire to the structure of origin and fully extinguished the flames in just 45 minutes. Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters stayed over seven hours assisting the business owner by combing through approximately 10,000 square-feet of goods to salvage.

When asked if there was anything unusual regarding this fire, Chief Calvillo stated, "It was unusual that firefighters encountered that much fire so early on. It expanded very quick and we are fortunate that all on scene made an such an aggressive attack." No nearby exposures were damaged.

One firefighter received minor burns from the intense heat and was treated by fellow firefighters, then transported to a local hospital in good condition.
The cause of this fire is, "undetermined, most probable accidental", likely due to workers performing normal maintenance on a spray booth. The dollar loss is estimated at $450,000 ($200,000 structure & $250,000 contents).

Dispatched Units: E66 RA866 E57 RA257 E21 E221 T21 SQ21 E266 T66 EM11 BC13 BC11 E46 RA57 RA257 DC2 E215 T15 E226 T26 E15 E64 EM9 BC18 T5 E205 E5 UR85 UR88 BC4 T3 E203 UR3 RA3 BC9 BC2 BC14 E229 T29 E61 E26 E220 T20 AR1 RA64 RA29 EM2 AR3 RT59 EA1 DT1 E85


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Booming Fire Tears Through Offices at Wilmington Refinery

WILMINGTON - Flames engulfed an administrative office building early this morning as Firefighters battled a massive fire at the ConocoPhillips Refinery.

The call was made at 4:22 am on January 16, 2012 by a passerby who noticed fire in a second-floor window of a two-story, administrative building at 1660 West Anaheim Street in Wilmington. First on-scene resources confirmed a large portion of the second floor fully-involved in flames.


A quick and aggressive interior fire-attack was made on the 75' x 300' structure of masonry construction, as companies on the Spanish tile roof assisted by cutting ventilation holes.

It was only 30 minutes into the incident, however, that Firefighters experienced a partial roof collapse of the nearly 100 year-old structure and the decision was made by the Incident Commander to pull all Firefighters off and out of the structure.

By that time, over 160 Firefighters had been called to the scene of this "Major Emergency Structure Fire".

Firefighters continued their diligent work hoping to prevent this blaze from extending to any of the adjacent structures on the property. Large hosestreams were targeted from the exterior on the now well-entrenched flames. They were joined by the "fire brigade" of ConocoPhillips to assist with any technical expertise that may have aided in the firefight.

However, at no time was the refinery itself or any of its petroleum products ever in jeopardy. Business at the entire ConocoPhillips Refinery will resume following the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported, despite a firefight that lasted 3 hours and 48 minutes. There were no occupants in the building at the time of the fire.

Dollar-loss estimates are not yet available and the exact cause of the blaze is under active investigation by the LAFD's Arson/Counter Terrorism Section.

Dispatched Units: E85 T85 E285 RA85 E38 RA38 E36 E248 T48 EM6 BC6 BC13 E64 E49 E48 E264 T64 E266 T66 DC2 SQ21 EM11 BC11 BC1 T5 E205 E5 UR88 BC4 E33 T33 E233 E15 E10 E295 T95 E221 T21 AR1 EA1 BC18 BC5 RA36 RA101 RA112 EM9 RA79 T26 E226 E3 T11 E211 E61 E210 T10 E37 E2 RT40 RA85 E226 T26 E248 T48 E202 T2 E34 BC11 E215 T15 E61 E101 E292 T92 E229 T29 SU1 RA38 AR33 AR53

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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