SYLMAR - A "thunderous explosion" that ripped the roof from a Sylmar business and sent three men to the hospital, remains under investigation by local and State authorities.

A flurry of 9-1-1 calls reporting the explosion commenced at 4:20PM on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, bringing dozens of Los Angeles Fire Department personnel to a normally quiet foothill industrial park at 12349 Gladstone Avenue in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

Arriving quickly, firefighters found missing doors, buckled masonry walls, widely scattered debris and large portions of the roof blown over the parapets of a 50' x 150' section of a 7,400 square-foot one-and-two story building. There was however, no evidence of fire. With paper debris still floating in the air, LAFD crews developed a perimeter for bystander exclusion as they established a command post uphill and upwind of the incident.


Swiftly surveying the scene, firefighters quickly came to the aid of two critically injured men who had apparently been blown from the cinder-block building by the force of the explosion. With early reports of additional victims, an unknown cause - and others who may have been missing, neighborhood firefighters were soon joined by more than one hundred colleagues, including LAFD Hazardous Material and Urban Search & Rescue experts, in a detailed search for the cause and effect of the blast, which was heard and felt over a one-mile area.

The two badly injured men were rushed to trauma centers by LAFD Paramedics, as a methodical examination of the premises found no trapped or missing persons. More than 15 minutes after the search concluded, a man walked up to the command post seeking medical care for unspecified injury from the blast. He was taken in good condition by LAFD ambulance to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

An estimate of monetary loss to the heavily damaged business, described only as an "alternative fuel and green energy firm", was still being tabulated early Wednesday.

Though the enterprise reportedly used pressure vessels and was involved in the "extraction of hydrogen from water", the specific cause of the explosion remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section and Cal/OSHA officials.


Dispatched Units: E98 RA898 RA98 E91 E275 T75 E24 E287 T87 BC12 E77 T98 E298 RA91 RA7 RA77 RA87 EM15 EM14 EM17 BC15 BC10 UR89 E89 T89 E289 UR88 E88 T88 E288 RA889 DC3 E87 SQ87 AR2 AR23 RA75 E39 EL83 AR3 AR10 BC10 EM15

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 'Thunderous Explosion' in Sylmar Sends Three Men to Hospital

PACOIMA - A woman was found dead in a quickly extinguished house fire in Pacoima, but not before a passerby who attempted to fight the flames sustained injury.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was called at 3:58 PM on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 to 11666 Bromont Avenue in Pacoima, where they found smoke showing from the front window of one story home that neighbors describe as being recently vacated.

The first of thirty-four firefighters dispatched to the scene extended a hoseline into a front room of the 1,158 square-foot building, extinguishing the fire in moments - only to discover a severely burned adult female. Beyond medical help, she was declared dead at the scene.

 
LAFD Paramedics then turned their attention to the on-site treatment of an adult male, believed to have been a passerby, who sustained a cut to his hand when he broke a window in an unsuccessful attempt to use a garden hose in battling the flames. No other injuries were reported.

The presence or functional status of smoke alarms within the residence could not be immediately ascertained. Monetary loss from the blaze, which caused minimal damage to the 47-year old non-fire sprinklered home, is still being tabulated.

A positive identification of the dead woman, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of her death, will be determined the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

The cause of the fire remains the focus of a joint investigation by Los Angeles Fire and Police Department Investigators.

Dispatched Units: E298 E98 T98 RA898 RA98 E91 E7 EM15 BC12 E77 AR2 AR9 AR11

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Woman Found Dead, Man Injured in Pacoima House Fire

On Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:15 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and a total of 92 Firefighters, all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca, responded to a Greater Alarm at 9797 North Glenoaks Boulevard in Sun Valley.

Even against the dark, night sky, a large plume of smoke could be seen enroute to the incident, indicating Firefighters were going to be engaged in a significant battle. First arriving companies confirmed a large outside fire at an auto salvage yard (DBA: Elite Auto). After making swift entry onto the property, Firefighters encountered additional concerns of not only downed power-lines, but also combustible metals, both of which present extreme hazards to personnel because of their volatility.

The command decision was quickly made to deploy large hose streams from both the ground and from aerial ladders in an effort to extinguish the stubborn blaze and to protect the adjacent occupancies from further damage. This large, outside fire burned so fiercely that two structures on the adjacent property (DBA: Elite Auto) sustained moderate damage.

Due to the strategic efforts of the command teams and an aggressive, sustained fire attack by nearly 100 Firefighters, the troops quickly gained the upper hand. The skillful firefight continued and the well-coordinated attack resulted in a knockdown in just over an hour.

The cause of the fire and its origin are under active investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated. There were no injuries.

Submitted by Matt Spence

Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Fire in Sun Valley Quickly Neutralized

On Friday, May 27, 2011 at 1:59 AM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 32 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Dennis Waters, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 10263 Kalua Drive in Sunland.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a 2,130 square-foot one-story single family home. As firefighters extended hoselines to extinguish with fire, they encountered three adults exiting the residence with serious burns following a senseless effort to battle flames with a garden hose from within the burning living room.


Firefighters promptly rendered care to the injured trio as their colleagues did quick battle with the fire, extinguishing flames in just 14 minutes.

The injured; a man and woman in their early 60's as well as a woman in her early 80's, each sustained painful first- and second-degree burns to their hands, arms and faces with possible respiratory injury from heat and smoke. All three were transported in fair condition to area hospitals by LAFD ambulance.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire loss to the 44 year-old non-fire sprinklered home is estimated at $100,000 ($75,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze remains under investigation.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Sunland Trio Burned Battling House Fire with Garden Hose

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:41 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 LAFD Foam Tenders, 1 LAFD Water Tender, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 74 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake, responded to a Traffic Collision with Large Fuel Spill on the northbound Golden State (I-5) Freeway near Glenoaks Boulevard in Sun Valley.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a semi-truck tanker with twin tank trailer, both laden with gasoline, parked on the right shoulder of the freeway. The trailer was observed leaking large amounts of the volatile motor fuel onto the roadway and across northbound lanes of travel.

According to witnesses, the tandem tanker truck was involved in a collision with another vehicle, causing damage to valves beneath the truck's fully-laden 4,800 gallon capacity trailer.

First arriving LAFD personnel staged their apparatus upwind and uphill from the parked gasoline transporter. With hundreds of gallons of flammable liquid already spilled, firefighters immediately curtailed traffic along the north- and south-bound lanes of the busy interstate highway to prevent ignition and diminish environmental harm.

As law enforcement agencies managed traffic along the miles-long closure that included many on- and off-ramps, transportation officials assisted firefighters who had labored intensely and successfully for nearly an hour, to dike the tide of gasoline before it could enter the storm drain system.

Patrons of a freeway adjacent motel behind a tall sound wall were sheltered in place, as teams of Los Angeles Firefighters stemmed the leaking trailer while applying an absorbent and firefighting foam to ease the cleanup and limit the potential for ignition.

No injuries were reported. There were no formal evacuations.

Following the Los Angeles Fire Department's successful mitigation of the primary hazard, control of the scene was returned to California Highway Patrol, State Department of Transportation and County Health Hazardous Materials officials.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fuel Spill From Tanker Collision Closes Golden State Freeway in Sun Valley

On Friday, March 20, 2011 at 4:11 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 36 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca, responded to a Fire in an Automotive Recycling Facility at 12301 Branford Street in Pacoima.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire among five partially dismantled vehicles stacked in a salvage yard. Multiple handlines were extended to do quick battle with the flames, which had consumed more than twenty of of the densely packed passenger cars by the time flames were brought under control just 29 minutes later.



There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. Fire loss to the vehicle remnants was not tabulated. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Douses Fast-Moving Pacoima Junk Yard Fire

On Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 1:06 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 Helicopters, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Water Tender, and additional agencies including: LA County Fire Department, Angeles National Forest, Department of Transportation & Department of Water & Powera total of 60 LAFD Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca responded to a Greater Alarm Brush Fire at 10718 Stallion Ranch Road in the Shadow Hills area of Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived to find one-half acre of brush burning up hill and quickly requested additional assistance. Ground crews rapidly began to make their way up steep terrain on both sides of the fire to surround and attack the flames. Three water dropping helicopters provided precise water drops, helping Firefighters on the ground in warm and breezy conditions. As the afternoon battle progressed the fire consumed an additional two acres.

This area nestled between Hansen Dam Recreation Center and Sunland Boulevard consists of moderate brush, hilly terrain, and is surrounded by large ranch style homes. Due to the decisive measures implemented, the afternoon blaze was swiftly confined to just under three acres.

A knockdown was declared in 53 minutes before any homes were damaged and without any one being injured. The cause of the fire was accidental reported to have been started by a welding operation at a perimeter fence.

Submitted by Cecil Manresa & Erik Scott, Spokesmen

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Confine Brush Fire Near Sun Valley to Just 3 Acres

On Monday, May 2nd, 2011 at 2:02 PM, 9 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Helicopters, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rehab Air Tender, 1 Glendale Fire Engine & 2 LA County FD Camp Crews, a total of 69 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake responded to a Brush Fire at 11111 North Tujunga Canyon Boulevard in Tujunga.

With warming temperatures, drying brush, and recent winds, Firefighters readied themselves for a Brush Fire. They arrived to find a half acre of brush burning slowly but steadily uphill towards a half-dozen homes near Airlie Drive. Additional fire personnel were rapidly requested.


The Fire was predominately driven by topography and a light six-mph wind from the South. The swift arrival of precise water-dropping aircraft, along with Firefighters who labored on the ground by extending hose lays up steep terrain, were able to anchor and halt the four-foot flames just before 3PM.

The blaze was fully extinguished in just under a hour and confined to one acre, before it could destroy nearby homes. Resident's compliance with strict brush clearance regulations contributed to no homes being damaged.


One LA County Camp Crew Firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his right knee from a rock falling downhill. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.

Want to learn more about the Brush Clearance process, click HERE.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Quickly Halt Brush Fire in Tujunga

On Friday, February 11, 2011 at 3:01 PM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, personnel from Department of Transportation and Animal Services, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Duca responded to a Train vs. Pedestrian at 9370 North San Fernando Road in Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived to find a 36 year-old male and horse, fatally struck by a Metrolink railcar. Witnesses state that the adult male was riding a horse on the train-tracks over a small bridge, just west of Sheldon Avenue, shortly before they were struck. Sadly and with certainty, firefighters determined that both were beyond medical help.

Metrolink AV Line, Train 216 came to a halt and additional firefighters rapidly assessed all passengers for injuries. Fortunately no one on-board was hurt. Metrolink then utilized buses to take passengers from Sun Valley to Burbank where they were able to board another train to their destination.

San Fernando Road between Truesdale Street and Branford Street was temporarily shut down.

Surrounding circumstances and events leading up the the incident are not fully known. A positive identification of deceased male, as well as the time, cause and exact manner of their death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man & Horse Fatally Injured by Train

On the evening of November 15th, 2010 Fire Engine 77 responded to a 9-1-1 call for a person trapped under a vehicle at the 8000 block of Norris Avenue in Sun Valley. Firefighters arrived on-scene and found a flatbed tow truck with a SUV that appeared to have fallen half way off. A victim's feet were sticking out from underneath the vehicle, the rest of his body was pinned, rendering him unable to breath.

Firefighters quick thinking and the use of a specialized tool led to a rapid rescue. A battery powered Holmatro Rescue Tool was carefully placed under the frame of the vehicle on the drivers side and lifted the SUV enough for firefighters to remove the pinned victim. All this, along with using cribbing to stabilize the vehicle was completed within just two minutes. Firefighters on scene stated, "We feel the victim would not have survived if we did not have this tool". The LAFD has hydraulic powered Holmatro tools placed strategically through out the city, predominately on Truck Companies. However thanks to the generosity of La Tuna Canyon Community Association, Karen Bristing, Deken Jones & Neighborhood Councils this $9,823.00 tool was purchased just 9 months earlier for Engine 77. The donation of this unique tool led to a rapid extrication which along with medical aid rendered from Firefighter/Paramedics greatly improved the patients condition. He reportedly even asked to make a phone call to his boss while in the back of an ambulance on the way to Holy Cross Hospital. We are happy to state the patient was admitted for observation and is labeled in serious but stable condition. The Los Angeles Fire Department stresses the importance of using extreme caution if you ever have to go under a vehicle.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Use Specialized Tool to Save Man's Life

On Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:46 PM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 54 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca, responded to a Hazardous Materials Investigation at 8916 Willis Avenue in Panorama City.

Los Angeles Firefighters, dispatched to an odor investigation, arrived quickly at a three story garden-style apartment building to learn of an irritating odor in or near a 3rd floor unit undergoing renovation.

With three persons from the premises initially complaining of respiratory irritation, first arriving crews immediately extracted and isolated the ill, while summoning an LAFD Hazardous Materials response.

Occupants of the 64-unit building were calmly led upwind to fresh air in a well-coordinated fashion that kept them safe yet separate from those who exhibited minor illness following possible fume exposure.

With a Command Post and perimeter established and key building systems secured, LAFD HazMat experts donned protective gear as their colleagues commenced a detailed medical assessment of all five residents now complaining of respiratory irritation.

A comprehensive sweep of the 42,000 square-foot building with sophisticated sensing devices yielded no immediate or escalating hazard.

Following exposure to fresh air and the brief use of medical oxygen, the symptoms experienced by all five residents soon subsided, and each declined offered medical treatment and transportation.

No other illness or injuries were reported.

Though the odor dissipated and its source was undetermined, LAFD responders surmise it may have been related to aerosol insecticide or oven cleaner being used in the apartment undergoing renovation.

At the conclusion of Los Angeles Fire Department operations, residents were allowed to return to their apartments. Pursuant of protocol, the scene was turned over to officials from the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Odor in Panorama City Apartment Brings LAFD HazMat Response

On Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 11:45 AM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Arson Unit, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca responded to a Auto Fire / Civilian Fatality, WestBound 118 Freeway At the Golden State Freeway in San Fernando.

Responding to reports of an automobile on fire, firefighters arrived on scene to discover a vehicle off the left shoulder of the freeway engulfed in flames. Apparently just minutes before the incident, individuals attempted to alert the driver, who was still in motion on the freeway, that the rear of the automobile was on fire. The driver continued for some distance before colliding into the median, pinning the driver’s side door.

Civilians on scene attempted to rescue the individual, but the flames proved to be too intense. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but were unable to rescue the 46 year old male victim, who was later declared deceased at the scene. There is no clear evidence as to what caused the vehicle to catch fire or the condition of its driver prior to this incident.

A positive identification of the deceased man as well as the exact cause, time and manner of death will be determined by L. A. County Coroner Officials. This incident will continue to be an active investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

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Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Automobile Fire Claims The Life Of A Man

On Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 4:17 AM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 22 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Timothy Ernst, responded to a Structure Fire at 2035 Knox Street in the City of San Fernando.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from a 1 story single family home, and immediately attacked fire within the 1,490 square-foot structure.

Though search and rescue efforts were undertaken simultaneously to fire attack, firefighters were relieved to confirm that all seven occupants and their pets had safely evacuated the smoke-charged home prior to the Fire Department's arrival.

The fire was swiftly confined to an interior closet and larger portions of the home's attic, with flames brought under control in just 22 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

The seven adults displaced by the fire, whose affiliation is unknown, were referred to the American Red Cross for temporary placement and living needs assistance.

The presence of legally required smoke alarms within the home could not be immediately determined. If present, there was no indication of the alarms being functional or playing a role in alerting occupants, one or more of whom were thankfully awake and able to alert others of the fire. The building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

Fire loss to the 72-year old residence has been estimated at $60,000 ($50,000 structure & $10,000 contents). The cause of the early morning blaze is electrical in nature, and is attributed to the improper use of electrical extension cords haphazardly strung throughout the building to a portable generator outside the home.

The reason and duration of the home being without electrical service remains within the purview of Southern California Edison officials.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - San Fernando Electrical Fire Displaces Seven

On Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 7:01 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 17 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Helicopter, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 83 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a Multi-Patient Traffic Collision involving a Train near 9800 North San Fernando Road in Pacoima.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a two vehicle collision in which one vehicle was subsequently struck by an approaching train.

According to witnesses, a sedan had yielded to a passing emergency vehicle on San Fernando Road north of Branford Street before being struck by a pick-up truck, propelling both vehicles onto the adjacent railroad right-of-way.

The heavily damaged sedan with three occupants remained distant from the tracks, while the truck occupied solely by a driver landed on or near the rails - where within seconds it was struck and destroyed by a northbound commuter train.

Though no one was trapped, the man and woman in the sedan sustained moderate injuries, while the nearly 2 year-old boy riding with them, as well the truck driver, were listed in critical condition.

As their colleagues treated and transported the injured motor vehicle occupants, teams of Los Angeles Firefighters boarded the involved Metrolink Train #201, which had stopped nearby.

Though there were no obvious injuries to the 39 passengers or 3 crew members aboard the Lancaster bound train, 2 passengers who stated a desire for further medical evaluation were taken by LAFD Ambulance to area hospitals in good condition.

The four motor vehicle occupants were taken by LAFD Ambulance to the Trauma Center at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where within the hour, an LAFD Helicopter was summoned to transfer the then-stabilized child to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

No other injuries were reported.

This incident remains under investigation by both Los Angeles Police Department and Southern California Regional Rail Authority officials.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Pickup Struck By Train Following Two Vehicle Collision

On Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 5:11 AM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 3 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 61 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Wade White, responded to a Multi-Fatality Traffic Collision with Fire on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway east of Sunland Boulevard in Sunland.

Responding swiftly to a traffic collision with subsequent reports of fire extending to nearby brush, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a two vehicle collision with one vehicle fully engulfed in flames.



According to witnesses, a full-size sport utility vehicle towing a cargo trailer collided with a big rig tractor-trailer loaded with lettuce, the smaller vehicle soon thereafter erupting in flames.

An adult male passerby reportedly assisted an 11 year-old male and 9 year-old female from the damaged SUV with minor injuries, before it was consumed by fire. A man, woman and teen male occupants however, remained within the burning vehicle. Sadly beyond the assistance of witnesses or responders, the trio were declared deceased at the scene.

The two surviving children sustained non-life threatening injuries, and were taken by LAFD Ambulance to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles in fair condition.

The adult male driver of the big rig, later complaining of chest discomfort, was taken by LAFD Paramedics to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, also in fair condition.

No other injuries were reported.

With the vehicle fire extinguished and medical treatment underway, firefighters focused their efforts on the burning vegetation, skilfully confining the fire to less than one-quarter acre of grass and brush. The flames were fully extinguished in just 29 minutes.

Firefighters remained at the scene for more than three hours supporting the California Highway Patrol's collision investigation, as well as the Coroner's discreet and dignified removal of the deceased.

The identification and formal relationship of those who died, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of their deaths will be determined by the Coroner's office. The cause of the collision remains within the purview of the California Highway Patrol.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Three Perish, Three Injured in Fiery Foothill Freeway Collision

On Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 11:29 AM, 33 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 4 LAFD Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 202 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, joined by 4 Hand Crews, a Crew Supervisor and Helicopter from the Los Angeles County Fire Department as well as five Engine Companies, 1 Hand Crew, 2 Patrols, a Water Tender, Helicopter and Supervisor from the U.S. Forest Service, each under the Command of Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeffrey S. Mottram, responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire in Oliver Canyon, a Wildland Fire Mutual Threat Zone near Foothill Boulevard and Conover Place in the Los Angeles community of Sunland.

Firefighters from the three agencies converged quickly to find nearly three acres of volatile grass and brush burning in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains during a period of seasonally intense heat but little wind.

As water-dropping helicopters commenced a synchronized aerial assault at the head of the fire, ground based firefighters anchored the flames, working the flanks of the fire along the steep and at-times unstable terrain north of the Tujunga Wash.

Keeping the flames more than 100 yards from a handful of nearby homes, firefighters held the blaze to less than twenty acres of wilderness, extinguishing the flames in just 1 hour and 46 minutes.

During emergency fireground operations in rugged terrain, a total of five firefighters sustained non-life threatening injuries. The injured included two Los Angeles Firefighters, one suffering a severe ankle sprain, the other fracturing a bone in his lower leg. Also injured were three Hand Crew members supervised by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, including one who suffered multiple bee stings, and two others who fell ill due to heat exhaustion.

All five were taken to area hospitals by LAFD Rescue Ambulance, where they were treated and released to remain off-duty.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of this blaze remains under active investigation.


Submitted by Erik Scott & Brian Humphrey, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Wildfire Sends 5 Firefighters To Hospital

On Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 6:40 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Emergency Lighting, DOT, Street Maintenance and a Cal OSHA Inspector, under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a TRENCH RESCUE at 15839 W. Larkspur St. in the Sylmar area.

Firefighters responded to a reported trench collapse and rescue. Firefighters arrived on scene and found a 40 foot long trench, 4 foot wide by 8 foot deep, with 2 workers trapped. One worker was trapped with debris and dirt to his thighs, while the second worker was trapped almost to the chest. An additional USAR company was added to the assignment. One major concern of the IC, was a 12 foot long section of concrete curbing needing stabilization, to not cause additional injury to the patient.

18 minutes into the incident, one worker self extricated with the aid of a shovel provided by Task Force 98 in coordination with the stabilization of the trench walls. The male worker, approximately 63, was assessed with no complaint of injury and transported to an area hospital. With the use of hand tools and a vacuum truck, the debris was removed slowly by the USAR Firefighters. Two hours, 15 minutes into the incident, the second worker was finally extricated from the trench. He was assessed, treated and prepped for transport to an area hospital.


It took 81 Firefighters and Specialty companies 4 hours and 20 minutes to complete the incident. The workers were working on the sewer line at the curbline, in front of the single family dwelling.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Workers Extricated From Collapsed Trench in Sylmar

On Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 10:31 PM, 9 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, DOT, DWP, L.A. County Health and a Building and Safety Inspector, under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffery S. Mottram, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 9044 N. Woodman Av. in the Panorama City area.

First arriving Firefighters on scene found heavy smoke coming from the rear of a 1 story, 100 foot by 100 foot commercial building. Further investigation indicated the fire was in the occupancy located in the center of the small, strip mall type complex. As Firefighters vigorously deployed handlines to gain control of the fire, the multiple heat holes cut by the ventilation team spewed fire, indicating the fire had truly progressed into the attic. The IC was prompted to request additional companies to gain control of the fire. A consideration was made to go defensive with master streams, but the deployment of additional 2-1/2 inch hoselines by Firefighters from the added incoming companies, thwarted the progress of the fire by blasting out the drop ceiling and reaching the seat of the attic fire. Members were alerted that a large portion of the roof was unstable and at 2302 hours the majority of the roof collapsed.

It took 68 Firefighters 37 minutes to achieve a knockdown on the fire. There was one minor injury to a Firefighter who was transported to an area hospital. The cause is currently still under investigation. The estimated dollar loss is $600,000 [$200,000 structure, $400,000 contents]. The occupancies effected were: the AlRight Pawn Shop (point of origin), Pupusas Restaurant and the Iglesia Misionera.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Damages Three Occupancies in Panorama City Strip Mall Complex

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 90 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Peter Benesch, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 11142 Fleetwood Street in Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke showing from a 100' x 355' multi-unit one story commercial structure.


View Larger Map (you can also click, grab and zoom the pre-fire image above)
Forcing entry through the off-street rolling steel doors of the unoccupied building, firefighters encountered intense flames that had taken hold of storage at an artistic pottery company.

Simultaneous vertical ventilation by firefighters atop the 35,500 square foot structure allowed their colleagues to rapidly advance hoselines, limit horizontal fire spread and extinguish the flames before they could damage the firm's office in the non-fire sprinklered building.

The flames were confined to the business of origin, and extinguished in just 31 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Fire loss to 'Funky Fish' is estimated at $125,000 ($25,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Sun Valley Fire Quickly Tackled by LAFD