Fire Causes $75,000 Damage to Van Nuys Woodworking Firm

On Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 11:43 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 87 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Scott Mottram, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 15540 Cabrito Road in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke showing from a 275' x 120' one-story L-shaped commercial building.

Forcing entry through a trio of rolling steel and personnel security doors that served the building's five tenants, firefighters encountered stubborn fire solely within "Morning Sun" an artisan woodworking firm.

Aided by an aggressive fire attack and strategic vertical ventilation, flames were held within the one business.

Despite the building's lack of fire sprinklers, firefighters limited damage to only $75,000 ($50,000 structure & $25,000 contents), as they brought flames under control in just 30 minutes.

There were no injuries.

The cause of this late night blaze remains under investigation.

(photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department