On Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 29 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Chris Kawai, responded to a Structure Fire at 19927 Arminta Street in Winnetka.

Responding to initial reports of a rubbish fire, neighborhood firefighters arrived quickly to find flames from a large trash can had extended to the attic of a one-story single family home.

Firefighters swiftly extended ground ladders to the roof of the 1500 square foot residence to perform strategic vertical ventilation with chainsaws, as their colleagues deployed hoselines within the building to halt the spread of flame.

The combined effort of LAFD personnel within and above the structure quickly stemmed the downward and lateral advance of flame, confining the fire to the attic. Simultaneous and well-coordinated efforts to protect and salvage personal belongings further limited the impact of the fast-moving blaze, which was extinguished in just 19 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

The need to secure the home's utilities rendered the building temporarily untenable. The man, woman and teenage male residents stated a desire to seek their own accommodations.

Loss from the fire was limited to $70,000 ($50,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of this rapidly spreading blaze was determined to be accidental, and is attributed to the improper disposal of fireplace ashes.


Los Angeles Firefighters emphasize that fireplace ashes must always be handled with care. After cooling thoroughly in the fireplace, ashes should be placed directly into a metal can and soaked completely with water. No other items should be placed in the can. The metal can must be immediately covered with its own tight-fitting non-combustible lid. The closed container should then be stored at a safe outdoor location away from any structure or combustible items.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Improperly Discarded Fireplace Ashes Cause $70K Damage to Winnetka Home

On Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 10:53 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Miller responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8835 N. Shirley Ave in Northridge.

The first companies arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from a one story 50' x 100' commercial structure. Firefighters extended handlines and made forcible entry to battle within the commercial building, doing business as a Video Arcade Manufacturer. Interior attack teams had the vigorous task of locating the seat of the fire, while roof teams cut several holes above to release the super heated gas below.

The fire, which was intense, was apparently located on a mezzanine level severing as storage space. Although the flames threatened a structure across a shared foyer, the fire load was confined only to the building of origin. The aggressive and well-coordinated efforts of 88 Los Angeles Firefighters brought the flames under control in just over 37 minutes.

There were no reports of anyone being inside the structure and no injuries to any personnel during this incident. Damage to the non-occupied building is estimated at $350,000 ($250,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The cause of this blaze has is still under an active investigation by Fire Officials

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Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Rips Through Building In Northridge