Blaze Erupts in Vacant Eastside Commercial Building

On Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 8:37 AM, 19 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 132 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Richard Warford, joined by a CERT Coordinator, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 633 South Mission Road in the Boyle Heights area.

Firefighters arrived quickly in an industrial neighborhood to find smoke showing from a large one-story commercial structure. Forcing entry and extending handlines deep into the smoke charged 39,800 square-foot building under renovation, firefighters discovered a large quantity of burning foam rubber debris in the central portion of the vacant building.

The fire, held in check by fire sprinklers, was confined by firefighters to the burning debris and extinguished in just 43 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $100,000. The cause of this blaze remains under investigation.

(photos)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department