Fire Damages Van Nuys High School

On Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 11:39 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 73 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a Structure Fire at 6535 Cedros Avenue in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived quickly on the east side of the Van Nuys High School campus to find fire showing from a one-story bungalow housing 2 classrooms.



Forcing entry through the gates of the well-secured campus to carry ground ladders and hoselines more than 200 feet, Los Angeles Firefighters swiftly ascended the 40' x 100' structure to perform vertical ventilation, as their colleagues aggressively attacked the flames below.

The fire significantly damaged one classroom configured for theater arts, and extended to threaten another. The flames were confined to the structure of origin, and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $70,000 ($50,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze was determined to be a deliberate act.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department