On Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7:39 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 91 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 525 North Sycamore Avenue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find no immediate evidence of fire at the front of a three-story condominium complex built over parking.

Swiftly entering enclosed hallways on the second floor of the converted apartment building that were charged with thick smoke, firefighters fought their way to the seat of the fire in a second-floor unit to the rear, where they commenced a tenacious attack on the flames.

Eyewitness cell phone video
Firefighters confined the bulk of fire to the second-floor condominium of fire origin and the unit directly above. They extinguished the blaze in just 33 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Six persons were displaced by the flames, including four men, one woman, an infant and three pet animals. They were provided placement and human needs assistance by volunteers from the American Red Cross.

A preliminary fire loss has been estimated at $100,000 ($80,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in Fairfax District Condominium Displaces Six

On Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 1:14 PM, 19 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 6 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 3850 West Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire showing from a 75' x100' commercial building. Fire crews mounted a swift and offensive attack while making strong headway to locate the origin of the flames. Interior attack teams and support teams established a staging area, to optimize a strategic assault that would confine the fire to a rear section of the second floor.

Firefighters using handlines, along with, strong teamwork and precise vertical ventilation, finally found the area where the flames were concentrated. The Incident Commander called for additional companies, as well as issuing an emergency alert, for all operations to shift to a defensive mode of attack.

The fire soon extended through the roof causing air conditioning units and other equipment from the top to begin falling through the structure. A second emergency alert was made, that one Los Angeles Firefighter was reported to be down, possibly injured on the second floor of the building. Although the firefight was still ongoing, swift attention was given to assist the fallen member, who was quickly found and taken out of the structure.

Apparently a portion of the falling roof and some of the ceiling fell on the firefighter. He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was later transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in stable condition, with expectations of a full recovery.

It took 153 firefighters to confine the fire entirely within the occupancy of origin, achieving a knockdown in 1 hour and 36 minutes. After a complete search, the building was declared vacant and no civilians were injured during the fight.

Although efforts were made to minimizing damage to the vacant structure, the entire second floor was heavily burned. It is still unclear as to how this fire broke out, and will remain as an active investigation by LAFD Officials

(photos)

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Destroys Second Story Of Vacant Building

On Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 2:14 PM, 20 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 Helicopters, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 2170 South Century Park East in Century City.

Firefighters quickly arrived to a 21-story residential highrise to find fire blowing out of one unit on the 20th floor. Occupants had already began to properly evacuate the 480 unit building in an orderly fashion.

In accordance with the LAFD's well-established High-Rise Incident Command System, Firefighters secured the lobby, fire control room, stairwells and established a liaison with on site staff of 44 year-old building. With detailed knowledge of the structure gained during fire prevention and tactical pre-plan inspections, Firefighters carrying as much as 100 pounds of equipment each began the strenuous task of climbing 20 flights of stairs. With support teams readily staged on the floors below them, Firefighters assigned to fire attack aggressively assaulted the fire with handlines, confining the flames to the non-sprinklered unit of origin before it spread. Also Fire Department helicopters were staffed remotely as 'Airborne Engine Companies'.

A total of 141 Firefighters assisted in fully extinguishing the blaze in just 23 minutes and performed a detailed search through this contemporary styled structure. There were no injuries to Firefighters, however three adult female civilians suffered non-life threatening injuries, two of which required transportation to local hospitals.

Following extinguishment, dozens of Firefighters worked for several hours assisting building officials with salvage operations and water removal from the 18th through 20th floors. Dollar-loss from the blaze is being tabulated and the cause is under investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Stop High-Rise Blaze From Spreading

On Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 3:13 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 4038 South Ursula Avenue in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw area.
 
Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from a two-story garden type apartment building. While beginning to extend hoselines into one of the two bedroom units, firefighters were immediately met by a woman who apparently made it out of the residence with one of her five children. While continuing a systematic search through the smoke charged structure, a quick, bold and decisive interior attack on the fire was initiated.

Two additional children were rescued by firefighters and all were unharmed by smoke or flame. Sadly and despite the prompt work of all resources, two male teenage twins were discovered without vital signs of life in a rear room. Both boys were declared deceased at the scene. It took the diligent effort 36 firefighters 21 minutes to knock down the flames. All other residents in the home were unharmed. Although melted smoke alarms were present, it is unclear as whether or not they were a factor in warning the residents.

Seeking to comfort the grieving Mother, the LAFD quickly mobilized a Crisis Response Team to provide compassionate assistance to all friends and neighbors, and those closest to the victims. The American Red Cross was called in to aid the displaced and distraught family. This incident is a reminder to all families of the importance of E.D.I.T.H (Exit Drills In The Home), a well planned exit strategy in case of a fire. Although a Monetary loss exists, one can not truly be calculated where there is loss of life. A positive identification of both deceased, as well as the cause, manner and time of their deaths will be determined by the LA County Coroner's officials. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Twin Boys Found Deceased From Apartment Fire

On Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 10:56 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief David Yamahata responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 4844 West Jefferson Boulevard in the Jefferson Park area.

 
Firefighters arrived quickly to find a 75' X 100', two-story commercial building, doing business as L.A. Shoji & Decorative Products Inc, with smoke and fire showing. Additional firefighters were immediately requested.

This 10,000 square foot building had offices on two-stories in the front and a large one-story screen manufacturing facility in the rear that was separated by a wall with a rolling steel door.

As Firefighters focused on rapidly advancing hose lines for an interior attack, the roof team began aggressive ventilation. Flames shot through each hole cut by Truck Companies on the arched truss roof. As the blaze grew, Firefighters were able to strategically stand on the bearing wall that separated the manufacturing facility for support. However, the gallant efforts of the firefighters on the roof and interior were halted due to worsening conditions.

Within 30 minutes, all members were cleared from the structure and the Incident Commander ordered Firefighters to commence a Defensive attack. Shortly there after, there was a partial roof collapse toward the rear of the building.

Firefighters began using large handlines and ladder pipes capable of delivering copious amounts of water. Due to the intense effort of all on scene, the bulk of the damage remained in the manufacturing facility where the fire originated and no injuries occurred. The first arriving 111 firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze in one hour and 12 minutes.

The 74 year old building was cordon off due to it's structural integrity being compromised and having significant exterior cracks.

Monetary loss from the blaze is still being tabulated and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(photos)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Late Night Structure Fire Blazes in Jefferson Park

On Monday, March 22, 2010 at 12:17 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 56 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Ralph Ramirez, responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 2610 South Ridgeley Drive in the West Adams area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke from the top floor of a 50' x 25' second-story single family residence above a parking area secured in an improvised manner with multiple sheets of plywood.

During initial fire attack, firefighters discovered the lifeless body of a 77 year-old male in a small ground floor annex to the rear of the home. Without vital signs of life and beyond medical help, he was declared deceased at the scene.

A swift and well coordinated assault by firefighters confined the blaze to the second floor and attic on the north side of the home. The fire was extinguished in just 32 minutes, and no other injuries were reported.

The presence of smoke alarm(s), their functional status and role at the time of the fire could not be immediately determined.

There were no obvious non-fire factors impeding the victim's egress. The home's security doors - including one near where the man was found, were equipped with legally compliant single cylinder deadbolt locks that required no key, tool or special skill to exit.

The home was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the deceased man, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of his death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $200,000 ($150,000 structure & $50,000 contents).

The cause of this midnight blaze remains under active investigation by Los Angeles Police and Fire Department Investigators.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Presence of Smoke Alarms Questioned in Fatal West Adams Blaze

On Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 0:47 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 2 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Franco responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 5029 W Jefferson Bl in Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw area.

Shortly after midnight Los Angeles Firefighters quickly arrived to find a one-story L-shaped commercial Auto Body Shop building well involved with fire. Fire Entry Teams had to make forcible entry on two sides of the before attempting to locate the origin of the flames. Firefighters laddered the roof of a 75’x200’ section of the building and commenced strategic vertical ventilation.


A division wall separated the unoccupied building into two sections. LAFD personnel aggressively attacked the flames, using Large hand lines and class A foam to confine the fire before it spread to any adjacent buildings. Additional resources were rapidly requested, in the event the blaze would spread.

One portion of the structure was 30’X70’ and had 25’ flames shooting through the roof and the other section was 75’x200’,with less fire involvement. Two spray-booths and several expensive automobiles inside the structure were damaged.

It is unknown if the structure had sprinklers or fire alarms. 119 firefighters were able to extinguish this blaze in just 46 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Thanks to the diligent firefighting and salvage efforts of the Los Angeles Firefighters the dollar loss was limited to $250,000 ($100,000 structure & $150,000 contents). The cause is under investigation.


Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Midnight Fire Burns Through Auto Body Shop

On Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 7:41 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 5 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Foam Tender under the direction of Battalion Chief Karen Richter responded to a Fatality Traffic Collision with Fire at 5283 West Jefferson Boulevard in the Baldwin Hills area.

Firefighters quickly arrived to find a sport utility vehicle and a big rig tractor-trailer fully engulfed in flames after colliding. Additional resources were promptly added due to the potential fire exposure to a nearby 150' X 100', two-story commercial building doing business as Jetro Cash & Carry Wholesale Groceries.

According to witnesses the big rig loaded with sugar packets and SUV were both traveling west bound on Jefferson Boulevard, when the tractor-trailer made a wide right turn into a parking lot and was struck in the diesel fuel tank by the SUV. The diesel fuel ignited and both vehicles erupted in flames.

Firefighters used handlines to diminish the roaring vehicle blaze, while additional firefighters simultaneously performed Ladder pipe operations (extending aerial ladders with hoses, spraying water downward in a fog pattern) to protect the nearby business.

Despite firefighters swift action, the adult male driver of the SUV was trapped and found deceased on scene. The driver of the big rig self extricated and declined medical transportation. Lastly, a third patient was found when an additional 911 call was placed for an adult male that walked a block away from the scene. He was found to be a passenger of the SUV and was transported to UCLA trauma center for non-life threatening injuries.

The blaze was extinguished by 58 firefighters in just 19 minutes and no structures were damaged. Firefighters notified Fish and Game, Cal EMA and the Coast Guard due to the potential of diesel fuel entering in the storm drains.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Driver of SUV Dies in Big Rig Collision

On Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 11:23 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Greenup, as well as one CERT Coordinator, responded to a Traffic Collision with Entrapment at 2827 South Westwood Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

Firefighters responded to reports of a multi vehicle traffic accident. Upon arrival, Firefighters found 2 vehicles which had collided, resulting in the injury of 5 patients. Early reports indicated that possibly as many as three were trapped inside the vehicle. As Firefighters cordoned off a safe work area, other Firefighters initiated patient triage, treatment and prepared them for transport. Firefighters found 1 female, 60's, in very critical condition after being ejected from her vehicle. 1 male, 60's, was extricated from a vehicle in grave condition and was later declared deceased at the hospital. The remaining 3 critical patients were a male 18 months, a male, approximately 25 and a female, approximately 35. All patients were transported to area hospitals.

During the triaging of the incident, Firefighters found 3 small dogs who were also victims of the traffic incident. All 3 were transported to a local animal shelter for initial treatment, where one later died. The cause of the incident will be determined by the local investigating police agency.

(video)

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies for Diana Igawa, acting PSO
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 5 Critically Injured in Westwood Traffic Collision