Major Commercial Fire turned into Defensive Attack

On Saturday, August 29th, 2009 at 5:05 PM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Structure Fire at 2016 Mateo Pl. in Industrial East Side.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a 50 by 80 foot, single-story commercial building with heavy smoke and fire billowing from the structure. An immediate and well synchronized offensive attack was made by firefighters inside the building and on the roof.

The blaze began to compromise the roof and the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters out of the building and a progression to a defensive strategy ensued. Using profuse amounts of water via large hose lines and aerial ladder pipes from the exterior of the building, firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire into adjacent businesses.

A knock down was declared in only 24 minutes with the help of 113 Firefighters. There were no injuries reported. The dollar loss is $375,000 ($125,000 for property and $250,000 for contents). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department