LAFD Handles a Commercial Building Fire in Van Nuys

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 15236 Erwin St. in Van Nuys.

Firefighters swiftly arrived at a 150 by 75 foot commercial building made of cinder block showing heavy smoke. The building was occupied by Astro Chrome & Polishing and as firefighters approached, warning placards were noticed indicating the building’s contents could react adversely to large quantities of water. LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad was immediately requested and handlines were quickly deployed and judiciously used in unison with vertical ventilation.

The fire had originated from a lacquer spray booth and was primarily contained to office space. Injuries consisted of two patients treated for smoke inhalation and transported to local hospitals.

It took 84 firefighters only 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze. The fire’s cause was electrical and the dollar loss is $200,000 ($100,000 for property and $100,000for contents).

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department