On Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 5:47 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 40 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Wade White, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 1630 South Bentley Avenue in Westwood.



Firefighters arrived quickly to find what appeared to be a balcony fire on the uppermost floor of a U-shaped 3 story garden-style apartment building. As they bolted up stairwells and through hallways to the apartment of fire origin, firefighters calmly guided several residents to 'shelter in place' pending an assessment of the blaze.

Near the involved apartment, firefighters were met by a severely burned man, whom they immediately removed to safety as they tackled the flames, which were extinguished in less than ten minutes.

In halting words, the burned man advised responders he had been awakened by one of the properly functioning smoke alarms within his apartment, alerting him to a burning couch in an adjacent room - which like the rest of his apartment, was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

Rather than simply escape his apartment, the man unwisely attempted to move the flaming sofa to a nearby balcony. In doing so, he was swiftly enveloped in fire, sustaining painful second- and third-degree burns to his hands, arms, torso and face, as well as thermal injury to his upper respiratory system.

Provided prompt on-scene care by a team of LAFD Paramedics, he was transported to the nearby Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in serious condition. Following stabilization at that facility, it was anticipated the man would require prolonged specialty care at a regional burn center.

No other injuries were reported.

Property loss from the fire is estimated at $10,000 ($5,000 structure & $5,000 contents).

The cause of this small but devastating fire has been categorized as accidental, and attributed to a heating source placed too close to combustible furnishings.

(video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Westwood Man Severely Injured in Attempt to Move Burning Couch

On Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 5:01 PM, 50 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 5 Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rehab Plug, 4 LACO Camp Crews under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY BRUSH FIRE at NB 405 FWY at Getty Center Dr. in Brentwood.

Los Angeles Firefighters, arrived at yet another brush fire this season, along the hills near The Getty Center. Due to the already state of readiness and enhanced staffing for critical fire weather conditions, arriving crews discovered five acres of medium to heavy brush burning uphill adjacent to the 405 freeway. LAFD along with California Highway Patrol, secured the rightmost lanes of the busy freeway to begin anchoring the flames and working the flanks of the fire. The blaze moved towards a high ridge near homes below just on the other side.

Despite the calm winds, and with no 'Red Flag Warning' in effect for the City of Los Angeles, the flames still moved rapidly through the light and flashy fuels towards thicker brush. LAFD water dropping helicopters were quickly called into action and halted the advancement of the flames unreachable by ground crews. Additional fire personnel were strategically placed near homes to be safe guarded in case the fire reached any structures.

Due to the hard work and efforts of the helicopters above and the ground crews below, the fire was held to little less than 15 acres. It took over 275 firefighters 2 hours’ and 10 minutes to bring the flames under full containment. No structures were damaged during the incident and no evacuation went onto affect. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 15 Acres Burns Near The Getty Center

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 2:50 PM, 9 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Rehab Tender, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 64 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Ralph Ramirez, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 485 Halvern Drive in the Los Angeles community of Brentwood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from the improved attic of a 6,513 square-foot two-story single family home undergoing a major remodeling.

Met by contractors who had been overseeing a plumbing upgrade, firefighters soon learned that a torch being used by a plumber had ignited construction materials within the walls and soon spread to the fully finished 'third-level' attic in the central portion of the expansive home.

With all construction workers safe and accounted for, comprehensive salvage efforts were swiftly undertaken as firefighters extended handlines to battle stubborn fire in concealed spaces throughout the 70 year-old non-fire sprinklered home.

Strategic vertical ventilation helped curtail the spread of fire, as firefighters used thermal imaging devices to find and abate the rapidly spreading fire.

The relentless effort of firefighters confined flames to the central portion of the home, with the blaze fully extinguished in just 59 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $352,000 ($350,000 structure & $2,000 contents). The cause of this mid-afternoon blaze is categorized as accidental.

(photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Plumber's Torch Sparks Stubborn Brentwood Blaze

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:58 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 2 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Dozer Team, 1 Utility Resource under the direction of Assistant Chief T. Manning responded to a TRENCH RESCUE at 602 N. Palisades Dr. in Pacific Palisades.

Firefighters responded to a three story below grade single family dwelling, where reports of a person buried under an unknown amount of dirt was trapped. As crews quickly assessed the scene, they discovered that an individual who later was described as a 24 year old male, had been working in an 8x8 11 ft trench. The worker who apparently was attempting to water proof the area, was the victim of an unexpected cave in, just prior to the 911 call.

All personnel worked diligently and swiftly to try and dig out the man, but the un-shored, large amounts of dirt and the depth hole proved to be extremely challenging. With an already heavy amount of resources and equipment on scene, a request was made to call in three LAFD USAR Teams in an effort to expedite the rescue operation. A crew had to breach a nearby retaining wall to try and gain access to the victim. Despite the prompt efforts of the Los Angeles Firefighters and Paramedics, the injured male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

It took 86 fire personnel and rescuers a little over five hours to completely recover the body of the worker. CAL –OSHA will continue an investigation as to what caused the incident, but the exact time and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.



Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Worker Dies After Being Trapped Under Dirt

The Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating a string of suspicious fires in the Venice area over the past month that may be the work of an arsonist.

City officials are asking local residents to report any suspicious activity and to take common-sense precautions to prevent fires near their homes.

According to Bill Rosendahl, Councilman for the Venice area, "We are determined to keep Venice safe by working together with the community; we will apprehend and arrest the person or persons responsible."

These fires have started as outside fires, mostly in areas such as automobiles, fences and rubbish, but some have extended into a structure, according to Fire Department officials.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators interviewed two individuals in relation to these fire incidents. Currently, no suspects are in custody.

The lead agency is the Los Angeles Fire Department, working in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department, Council Member Rosendahl’s office and other allied agencies, including the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Fire officials urge residents to be on alert for suspicious activity. The LAFD recommends that residents lock all vehicles, secure gates and garages, and place rubbish in cans and secure trash cans behind closed or locked fences.

Residents should immediately call 9-1-1 should they discover an active fire; residents are also urged to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section office directly at 213-485-6095 to report suspicious activity or to relay information about any of the recent fires.


Submitted by Captain Tina Haro, Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Public Help Sought in Battling Suspicious Venice Fires

On Friday, October 9, 2009 at 3:22 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 Helicopter, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 85 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Richard Warford, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 11365 Thurston Place in Westwood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from the northwest portion of a 3,154 square-foot one story single family home with sub-grade garage.


View Larger Map (you can also click, grab and zoom the pre-fire image above!)
As firefighters pulled hoselines to battle the flames, they were met by the home's sole occupant who had been awakened and alerted to the fire by a properly functioning smoke detector of her home alarm system.

With concerns for flying embers, an LAFD Helicopter was assigned for aerial reconnaissance and command support, as firefighters made a relentless attack on the stubborn flames.

The bulk of the fire was confined to the rambling attic of the 57 year-old 'U-shaped' home, which was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers. The flames were extinguished in just 44 minutes.

Though allowing LAFD Paramedics to examine her for smoke exposure, the female resident who escaped unscathed declined treatment or transportation.

No other injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is still being tabulated. Firefighters remain confident that a properly maintained and fully functioning smoke alarm saved the woman's life.

The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Smoke Alarm Saves Life of Sleeping Westwood Woman

On Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 5:15 AM, 20 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 2 Rehab Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 135 Los Angeles Firefighters, as well as one civilian CERT Coordinator under the command of Deputy Fire Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 11925 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from the upstairs rear of a modern two-story 'L' shaped 'strip mall' of commercial businesses.

With fire suddenly through the roof, firefighters used power and hand tools to force entry into the smoke-charged businesses. Fire teams found intensly entrenched flames in the recesses of a first floor restaurant, extending through a massage and skin care firm above.

With the expertise of firefighters performing vertical ventilation, the horizontal spread of the fire was soon stemmed, as firefighters fought the stubborn blaze on two floors beneath them.

Despite structural compromise and seemingly unyielding fire, the flames were confined to the structure of origin and extinguished in just 53 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Though not in imminent peril, two occupants of an adjacent building to the east were found to have been sleeping in their business. Awakened by firefighters, they were safely escorted from the scene.

Loss to the heavily damaged Yekta Restaurant and Wat Po Thai Spa Massage above, as well as the adjacent El Super Taco and Monte Alban Restaurant, is still being tabulated.

The cause of this pre-dawn blaze remains under active investigation.

(photos) (video) (video)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey and Devin Gales, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Predawn Fire Damages West L.A. Strip Mall

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 12:44 PM, 67 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 2 Rehab Units, 3 Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Water Tenders, 3 Dozer Teams, 10 Brush patrols, 2 Rehab Tenders, along with the assistance of L.A.County Fire, Santa Monica Fire, Culver City Fire, Beverly Hills Fire under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire at 1200 Getty Center Dr.in Brentwood.

Firefighters arrived to find a small column of smoke coming from the hills near the Getty Center Museum. Fire crews encountered several acres of burning brush with no structures immediately threatened. Although they experienced some difficulties due to the steep terrain as well as the over 40-50 year old dead/dense brush, they continued to attack the blaze utilizing all the resources on hand.

Additional resources were called in and strategically placed in a variety of locations throughout the area, in an attempt to control the perimeter of the fire.

Over 380 Firefighters were deployed over the course of three days before full control over the flames was achieved. 80 acres were consumed by this fire, however due to favorable weather conditions and an aggressive, well coordinated air and ground attack, they were able to declare full containment early on the third day.

Although this fire lasted three days, there was only one Firefighter who sustained a minor injury with no reported injuries to Civilians or animals. The cause of the blaze is reported to be accidental, attributed to a weed Abatement tool during an operation.


Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 80 Acres Of Brush Are Consumed Near Getty Center

On Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM, 17 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Emergency Air Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 128 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as one CERT Coordinator, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffrey S. Mottram responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 11666 West Goshen Avenue in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the top floor of a 3-story apartment building.

Swiftly extending handlines, firefighters did fierce battle within the two-story unit, preventing the flames from spreading to other parts of the densely built and non-fire sprinklered wood-clad structure.

The fire was confined to the unoccupied apartment of origin and extinguished in just 53 minutes.

During the intense attack on the flames, a Fire Captain sustained severe but non-life threatening muscular injury, and remains hospitalized pending surgical consultation.

While seeking to recover and preserve the resident's personal property from the charred unit, firefighters discovered the remains of one pet cat that succumbed at the scene.

Though another cat was initially believed to have perished in the flames, the formerly missing feline was found later in the neighborhood with serious burn injuries. A community based effort is now underway to support the care and rehabilitation of 'Dokes'. See his Facebook page or call (310) 473-2951.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to a combustible item left on or near the stove.

(video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighter Injured, Cat Perishes in Brentwood Blaze

On Friday, May 1, 2009 at 10:53 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Curt Klafta, responded to a reported HAZ MAT incident at 800 N. Sepulveda Bl. in the Brentwood area.

Firefighters responded to the report of the strong smell of gas by a Chevron representative. The first arriving Firefighters on scene upgraded the incident to a full Haz Mat assignment. The investigation revealed high hydrocarbon levels at a manhole cover from an unknown source. As a precaution, Sepulveda Boulevard was shut down between Sunset Boulevard and Moraga Drive and the northbound Moraga offramp from the 405 freeway.

Initial readings indicated 100% concentration inside the manhole and above ground readings registered zero. Concerns of the IC included a 26 inch Southern California gas line, two 8 inch gasoline lines, a 14 inch crude line and 2 apartment complexes located 50 yards away. Evacuation was considered, but not implemented. 90 minutes into the incident, the Haz Mat team readings indicated concentrations of only 5%. The incident was downgraded with the assistance of L.A. County Health Haz Mat. The investigation will continue.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies on behalf of Lauren deRosier, OCD Dispatcher
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Late Night Haz Mat Scare in Brentwood

On Monday, April 13, 2009 at 3:38 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 6 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 38 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Randy Beaty, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Fatality at 12026 Benmore Terrace in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the upper "street level" floor of a 2-story terraced hillside home.

Aided by precise vertical ventilation, firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the blaze, confining the fire to the upper floor and extinguishing the flames in just 28 minutes.

During a methodical search of the 3,234 square-foot residence, firefighters discovered the body of an elderly male. Beyond medical help, he was declared deceased at the scene.

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 window security bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede egress. The 56-year old home was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

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

Monetary loss from the fire has been estimated at $1,750,000 ($1,500,000 structure & $250,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze remains the focus of a joint Police and Fire Department investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man Found Dead at Scene of Brentwood Fire