On Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 8:46 AM, 18 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 18 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 5 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Michael Little responded to a Structure Fire at 255 South Loma Drive in the Westlake area of downtown Los Angeles.

Multiple 911 calls were received in rapid succession prompting a quick dispatch of firefighters to a three-story Center-Hallway apartment building over a parking garage. Smoke could be seen two blocks away as firefighters approached, they arrived within three minutes to find fire lapping out of the second-story of this 60' x 300' building and some occupants jumping out of second-story windows. Firefighters sprinted into action providing ladders to assist those in need and deployed handlines to aggressively attack the flames while performing a primary search. Additional firefighters were immediately summoned to assist battling the blaze.

The 42-unit apartment complex was in compliance with the city's Dorothy Mae Ordinance including hard wired smoke alarms, smoke-activated magnetic fire doors and automatic sprinklers in the parking area, all of which assisted in saving lives. This serves as a good reminder for all to never block open fire doors as this allows smoke and fire to travel and impede occupants from escaping in an emergency.

One unit was completely destroyed by flames and five others were damaged. Over 150 firefighters extinguished the blaze in just 28 minutes however 13 persons received injuries, two of which were in critical condition. There were no security doors, window bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede the victims from exiting the home.

Firefighters remained on scene for over five hours, protecting the homeowners belongings from additional damage during the salvage and overhaul operations. The total dollar loss was estimated at $255,000 ($180,000 structure and $75,000 content). The cause is under investigation and the American Red Cross assisted any displaced occupants.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 13 Injured From Apartment Fire in Downtown L.A.

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 2:14 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 43 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Craig Fry, responded to a Hazardous Material Investigation near 920 West Harry Bridges Boulevard in Port of Los Angeles near Wilmington.

Responding to a request from the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a twenty-foot shipping container sitting remotely at the 170 acre harborside TraPac terminal.

According to Coast Guard officials, an employee of their agency became nauseous at approximately 10:30 AM, after encountering fumes during a routine cargo inspection.

The employee was taken to an area hospital long prior to the arrival of Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, and soon thereafter was released from medical care.

First arriving firefighters established a joint command post with USCG upwind from the container of mixed cargo. LAFD Hazmat experts clad in protective gear then swiftly gained access within the steel shipping container to find pallets of 1 gallon containers shrink-wrapped in plastic.

A decontamination and treatment zone was established, but neither of these precautions or evacuations were deemed necessary.

In a laborious process, the LAFD Hazmat team ultimately discovered a 1 gallon vessel which had leaked an unknown quantity of a "base chemical" used in the production of cosmetics. An analysis of the site identified no escalating hazard or need for evacuation.

Pursuant of protocol, the scene was returned to the control of terminal officials and responders from the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD and Coast Guard Handle Dockside Hazmat in Wilmington

On Monday, May 3, 2010 at 6:12 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 49 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake, responded to a Structure Fire at 4521 Colfax Avenue in Studio City.

Responding to an initial report of a car fire, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find several vehicles well involved, with flames rapidly extending to nearby automobiles and an adjacent 2 story garden-style apartment building.


As additional personnel were summoned, firefighters commenced a swift and well-coordinated attack on the flames, their colleagues soon focusing on strategic vertical ventilation and simultaneous efforts to protect residential belongings. Their efforts proved synergistic, with the flames extinguished in just 31 minutes.

Damage was limited to five unoccupied vehicles and a portion of two apartments, with smoke impacting two adjacent dwelling units.

No injuries were reported.

A total of eight persons, including 4 adults and 4 children from 2 families were displaced by the flames. Both families were provided temporary shelter and disaster assistance by volunteers from the American Red Cross.

Loss from the blaze has been estimated at $200,000 ($120,000 property & $80,000 vehicles).

The fire's origin was isolated to a compact vehicle parked minutes earlier at the carport location. The specific cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

(photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - San Fernando Valley Blaze Displaces Eight

On Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:03 PM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units,1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit,1 Rehab Unit,1 Hazardous Materials Team,1 EMS Battalion Captain, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams,1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Gerry Malais responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 7017 N. Hayvenhurst Ave. in Van Nuys.

The first company arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire showing from the windows and attic area of the 80’ x 100’ two-story commercial building. The modern wood sided structure housed the operations of The Hayvenhurst Studio along a row of 3 similar type businesses.

Firefighters commenced a fierce initial interior attack only to be driven back by a volume flames that were present on the second floor. Other crews on scene simultaneously performed search and rescue operations to confirm no other occupants were in the building.Half-dozen individuals had safely escaped the involved business before the flames grew in intensity.

The fire, that had originally started as an outside fire, spread rapidly making its way into the structure. More LAFD resources were called into action. A total of 109 firefighters tenaciously battled the stubborn flames for one hour and eleven minutes before confining the fire entirely within the occupancy of origin. No other structures were affected.

Happily no civilian or firefighter were reported injured during this incident. The damage has been estimated at $3,000,000 ($2,000,000 structure & $1,000,000 contents). The cause of this early afternoon blaze remains under an active investigation.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Destroys A Studio In Van Nuys