Water Main Break Displaces Over a Dozen In Van Nuys

On Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 3:12 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Potter responded to a Flooding at 16422 West Vanowen Street in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived to find knee-deep water rushing down both sides of Vanowen Street, entering residences and business in its path. The majority of the water flowed eastward from Havenhurst Avenue toward Odessa Avenue.

 

Firefighters rapidly canvassed the area and accessed residences to ensure no one was trapped or injured. A series of holes were strategically created by Firefighters in exterior and interior walls of buildings to relieve pressure.

LAFD personnel carefully carried pets and assisted families from apartment complexes to safety at a nearby parking lot. As many as 60 individuals were affected and over a dozen awaited assistance from American Red Cross.

Our friends at Department of Water & Power successfully shut down the water flow from a reported 20" water main around 5AM. No injuries were reported. The dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department