TERMINAL ISLAND - A 37 year-old longshoreman was taken to the hospital on Thursday evening, June 30, 2011, after possible exposure to a substance spilled at a freight yard in the Port of Los Angeles.

Twenty-eight Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - including an LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad, under the command of Battalion Chief Raymundo Gomez, were summoned at 6:52 P.M. to the Yusen Terminal at 701 East New Dock Street on Terminal Island.

The worker, who complained of a headache and general malaise, told first-arriving LAFD Paramedics that his symptoms commenced immediately after noting a substance on the ground near a sealed 20' cargo container.

Though no evacuations were necessary, harbor-area protocol brought the interagency response of personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Port Police, Long Beach Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard and L.A. County Fire Department Health Hazardous Materials Division.

LAFD Hazmat experts opened the locked cargo container to find it half-filled with 55-gallon drums containing Hydrogen Peroxide. Following a methodical investigation of nearly two and a half-hours, they determined that the freight was intact, and that pint of 'resin-like' liquid seen on the ground was not associated with the suspect container and of no escalating hazard.

The ill dock worker was taken by LAFD ambulance in good condition to the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro for further evaluation, as a private on-site cleanup firm removed the yet-identified substance under the guidance of health officials.


Dispatched Units: E40 RA36 E48 T48 E248 SQ48 RA848 BC6 EM6 RA112

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD HazMat Responds When Dock Worker Takes Ill

On Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 12:31 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 5 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson, responded to a Civilian Fatality Fire at 10926 South Wilmington Avenue in Watts.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a small structure affixed to the rear of a one-story home fully involved in fire, with intense flames extending to an immediately adjacent office/travel trailer, and simultaneously threatening an occupied two-story duplex to the north.

Swift action by first arriving firefighters prevented the fire from extending to the duplex, as they aggressively battled flames, confining them to the rear of the one-story home and trailer.

During a primary search, LAFD crews discovered a lifeless adult male within the trailer. Beyond medical help, he was declared dead at the scene. It was not immediately clear if the trailer had served as the man's domicile.

No other injuries were reported.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. A positive identification of the decedent, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of his death, will be determined the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

The cause of this post-midnight blaze remains the focus of an active investigation by Los Angeles Fire and Police Department Investigators.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Involving Watts Trailer Claims One Life

On Monday, April 11, 2011 at 1:25 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 57 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - as well as the House of Worship Arson Task Force, all under the direction of LAFD Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 10822 South Broadway Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke showing from a 50 x 80 foot two-story apartments over commercial building, with the first floor converted to a church.


The fast moving fire in an enclosed stairwell and hallway that led to the building's eight upstairs apartments was swiftly extinguished, but not before a 54 year-old male resident sustained injury or sudden illness in an attempt to escape the smoky fire. He was taken by LAFD Ambulance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in critical condition.

Five other persons, including three adults and two children were assisted from the smoke-charged structure by firefighters. Later examined by LAFD Paramedics, they declined treatment or transportation. Responders were quick to credit properly functioning smoke alarms as giving these residents a head start on escaping the fire with minimal or no injury.

Though the building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers, the rapid notification and response of firefighters prevented flames from moving beyond the stairwell and hallway. As such, the apartment units remained tenable after the fire for those who were uninjured.

While there was no immediate evidence of fire damage to the first floor tenant "New Life Christian Church", protocol dictated that the House of Worship Arson Task Force be notified.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of this early morning blaze is considered suspicious and remains under active investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man Critical Following South L.A. Apartment Fire

On Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 3:04 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 33 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Jose S-Cronenbold, responded to a Hazardous Materials Investigation at 8840 Vanalden Avenue in Northridge.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly in response to an "alarm ringing" notification from a security company, to declare liquefied natural gas vapor leaking from atop a 12,000 gallon vessel at a municipal fleet refueling and parking facility.

The findings escalated the incident to a Hazardous Materials Investigation, bringing additional LAFD personnel to to scene, including the Department's closest Hazardous Materials Task Force.

Establishing a perimeter and Command Post upwind from the leak, first-arriving firefighters determined the vapor to be dissipating vertically without imminent or escalating hazard.

The leaking container, one of three similarly sized upright and adjacent cylinders within the City of Los Angeles facility in an industrial neighborhood, had reportedly been in use after having been filled within the previous 2 days.

Working closely with the Plant Manager who had been summoned to the scene, LAFD HazMat experts deftly manipulated one or more valves adjacent to the tank to stem the vapor flow within 2 hours of arrival.

No injuries were reported.

Pursuant of protocol, the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department will handle the investigation to conclusion.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Hazmat Team Stems Gas Leak in Northridge

On Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:33 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as one Engine Company from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responding in Automatic Aid, all under the direction of LAFD Assistant Chief Craig Fry, responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1674 East 115th Street in Watts.

First-due Los Angeles City and County Firefighters arrived quickly and simultaneously to discover the inside of a one-story 1,330 square-foot single family home fully involved with fire.



Forcing entry into the residence, firefighters encountered intense flames among "pack rat" storage of personal belongings, yet pushed on relentlessly to search all parts of the fire and smoke-charged three bedroom home for a woman reportedly trapped in the inferno.

It was during this initial assault on the flames that firefighters discovered the lifeless body of an adult female within the structure. Beyond medical help, she was declared deceased at the scene.

The well coordinated firefight - including strategic vertical ventilation, confined the blaze within the home, allowing for extinguishment of the flames in just 24 minutes.

No other injuries were reported.

Along with the excessive storage that potentially hampered occupant escape, firefighters determined the building was fitted with window security bars "non-compliant" with the City's quick-release safety standard.

There was also no evidence of smoke alarms within the home as required by law. The 93 year-old wood frame building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

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

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated.

Having ruled out an intentional act, Los Angeles Fire Department Investigators continue to look into the cause of a blaze they consider to be accidental in nature.

(video)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Identifies Dire Factors in Fatal Watts Fire

On Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 4:15 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Fireboats, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 50 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Michael Thomas, responded to a Hazardous Materials Investigation at Berth 303 on Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to investigate an odor aboard the recently docked APL Sweden, a 909-foot long cargo ship of Liberian registry.

The seven crew members and other dock workers were swiftly evacuated upwind from the fully loaded vessel, as a safety perimeter and the Joint Command of LAFD, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Police and Homeland Security officials was established.

The odor, first believed to be associated with a gallon or more of liquid discovered near a shipping container, was instead determined by LAFD Hazardous Materials experts to be emanating from a pair of twenty-foot cargo containers nearby.

Nearly two hours into the incident, eight earlier evacuated port workers complaining of respiratory irritation and nausea joined their colleague who had first noted the odor, in being assessed by LAFD Paramedics. Three of these nine men, all described as in good condition, were ultimately taken to area hospitals via LAFD Ambulance for a more thorough medical evaluation.

With the assistance of longshoremen operating a dockside crane, the twin cargo containers loaded with Xylenol were skilfully wrapped in impervious sheeting in a diaper-like fashion, before being loaded onto a trailer under the watchful eye of responders.

Great care was taken by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel to assure that no product leaked into harbor waterways or created an escalating hazard.

The containers were gingerly transported to a remote section of the port, where a privately-contracted hazardous material management firm was to handle the matter to conclusion under the observation of the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Three Workers Sickened by Fumes in Port of Los Angeles

On Monday, July 5, 2010 at 12:52 PM, 1 Company of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 13 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Assistant Chief Craig Fry, responded to a Firework Injury near 1031 North Sanford Avenue in Wilmington.

Summoned by uniformed Los Angeles Police Officers at the scene, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a 15 year-old male with critical facial burn injury.

According to witnesses, the boy had been scavenging flammable powder from discarded and unused personal fireworks, adding the volatile mixture to the remnants of a so-called "safe and sane" ground display.

While reportedly attempting to ignite the homemade firework, intense flames suddenly enveloped the boy's entire face, causing deep and painful second-degree burns and severely damaging his eyes.

The injured teen was transported in critical condition by LAFD Paramedics to St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach for emergency trauma care, after which he was transferred by private ambulance to a regional burn center.

No other injuries were reported.

It is important to note that the possession or personal use of any firework has been outlawed in Los Angeles since World War II.

Given the unstable nature of personal use fireworks and that items involved may have been altered to even greater instability, Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad methodically managed the scene and assisted in key stages of the investigation.

This incident remains under a joint and active investigation by Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Investigators and Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Conspiracy Section.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Wilmington Teen Sustains Critical Firework Injury

On Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:34 AM, 41 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 12 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Foam Tender, 2 Dozer Tenders, 2 Loaders, 2 Transports, 2 Emergency Lighting Units under the direction of
Assistant Chief Mark Stormes responded to a Major Emergency Fire at 1903 N. Blinn Av. in Wilmington / Harbor City.

Firefighters arrived to find a huge black column of smoke rising straight in the air from a very large complex. Further assessment revealed an outside fire which had extended throughout a 25' by 100' pile of scrap metal. The Incident Commander quickly called for additional resources to the facility doing business as a Pick-Your-Part Auto Yard. Ladder pipes, wagon batteries, and portable monitors, capable of delivering copious amounts of water were placed in operation to attack the bulk of the flames.

Even with personnel on hand, water and equipment, the fire grew in intensity due to the increasingly difficult task of reaching the seat of the fire. The pile, being the size of a football field, spread fast as more resources were soon dispatched to the incident to continue the fight. Firefighters were leading a fierce attack on the flames, when two tanks housing gas and oil were reported to be in the path of the fire. Crews were able to prevent them from catching fire.

With a swift and well-coordinated transition, firefighters went into "defensive tactics" utilizing all available heavy stream appliances and master streams appliances at the scene. Class A foam was introduced to protect all sides of the incident, with even more resources added to the fight. Crews raced to surround the flames, as the water supply in the area was quickly reaching maximum levels.

After several hours, the difficult fire continued to burn, causing great concern for nearby residence that had to endure large amounts of smoke. Fire crews worked tirelessly but vigorously to achieve a knockdown, which wouldn't come till the following day. Additional bulldozers were requested to dismantled the pile and finally reach the seat of the fire.

Over 250 LAFD personnel (at the peak of the incident) extinguished the stubborn blaze in 32 hours & 10 minutes. 50 firefighters remained on scene throughout the night, into the third day to prevent rekindling and to ensure safety. A total of 425 firefighters were actively involved in this incident lasting nearly two full days.

Happily only 1 civilian & 1 firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries on 6-05, both were treated and expected to fully recover. No structures were directly damaged as a result of the event. The cause of the blaze is listed as accidental and estimated dollar loss are still yet to be determined.

Submitted by Devin Gales,Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Battles Large Fire In Scrap Yard

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 2:14 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 43 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Craig Fry, responded to a Hazardous Material Investigation near 920 West Harry Bridges Boulevard in Port of Los Angeles near Wilmington.

Responding to a request from the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a twenty-foot shipping container sitting remotely at the 170 acre harborside TraPac terminal.

According to Coast Guard officials, an employee of their agency became nauseous at approximately 10:30 AM, after encountering fumes during a routine cargo inspection.

The employee was taken to an area hospital long prior to the arrival of Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, and soon thereafter was released from medical care.

First arriving firefighters established a joint command post with USCG upwind from the container of mixed cargo. LAFD Hazmat experts clad in protective gear then swiftly gained access within the steel shipping container to find pallets of 1 gallon containers shrink-wrapped in plastic.

A decontamination and treatment zone was established, but neither of these precautions or evacuations were deemed necessary.

In a laborious process, the LAFD Hazmat team ultimately discovered a 1 gallon vessel which had leaked an unknown quantity of a "base chemical" used in the production of cosmetics. An analysis of the site identified no escalating hazard or need for evacuation.

Pursuant of protocol, the scene was returned to the control of terminal officials and responders from the Health Hazardous Materials Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD and Coast Guard Handle Dockside Hazmat in Wilmington

On Friday, February 19, 2010 at 4:08 PM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Armando Hogan responded to a Train vs. Pedestrian Fatality at 1700 East Century Boulevard in Watts.

Firefighters and Paramedics arrived to find a 51 year-old female, with major injuries after being struck by a southbound Metro Blue Line light rail train. The woman was reported to have been thrown several feet, before the train finally came to a halt over her body. It was difficult for rescuers to access the woman who paramedics assessed and determined deceased at the scene.

The northbound and southbound rail lines were shut down for several hours until it was declared safe to reopen the tracks for train traffic. All passengers where escorted to a safe location during the incident. There were no other injuries reported at this incident. The circumstances of this fatal train accident will remain under investigation by local law enforcement and transportation authorities.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Woman Fatally Struck by Metro Blue Line Train

On Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Helicopters, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Rehab Air Tender, 1 Park Ranger Water Tender and 1 Helicopter along with 2 Hand Crews from Los Angeles County Fire Department under the direction of Battalion Chief Brian Cummings responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire at 1202 West Anaheim Street in Harbor City.

Light Force 85 arrived and found two acres of light to medium brush burning in Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, just North of Anaheim Street and West of Vermont Avenue. Wind at approximately eight mph pushed the flames Eastward along the South side of Los Angeles Harbor College, toward the 110 freeway.

Firefighters quickly deployed hand lines trying to anchor the fire along the West flank and work their way North. In addition to the challenge of hilly and at-times unstable terrain, firefighters also had to overcome difficult water access. Water Shuttle Operations were established by strategically placing Fire Engines along Anaheim Street, moving water from the fire hydrants to the firefighters on the hills.

Meanwhile a Heli-Spot was established at The Navy Fuel Depot for water-dropping helicopters to battle the blaze from the air and provide aerial reconnaissance. Heavy smoke and flames continued to travel toward the 110 Freeway thus the Southbound lanes were closed as a precautionary.

Due to the aggressive attack from 92 firefighters, a knockdown was obtained in one hour and 49 minutes at 6:05 PM. Firefighters also received a little help from Mother Nature who kept the Relative Humidity around 60, assisting in holding the blaze to just 20 acres. Hand lines were stretched around the entire perimeter of the burned area and firefighters remained on scene over night to ensure any hot spots would not pose a threat. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. The cause is still under investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Major Emergency Brush Fire Scorches 20 Acres

On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 5:04 AM, 29 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 9 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and 3 Foam Tenders under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Franco responded to a Refinery Fire at 2101 East Pacific Coast Highway in the Wilmington area.

Light Force and Rescue Ambulance 38 arrived to find a large black column of smoke rising straight in the air from the Tesoro Refinery. This refinery produces 97,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is located only 23 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

As additional firefighters arrived, heavy hose streams were initiated. Task Force Commanders used ladder pipe operations which are capable of delivering 1000 GPM depending on the type of the tip used. Portable monitors, which are heavy stream appliances used in a similar manner as wagon batteries and ladder pipes were also put into operation to supply a significant amount of water on the fire quickly.

Lynn Westfall, SVP of External Affairs and Chief Economist of Tesoro stated, “The fire broke out in the coking unit at Tesoro's Wilmington refinery. The cause is under investigation and the amount of damage to the affected unit is unknown at this time. The plant is still operational but at a reduced capacity".

Two Hundred One Los Angeles firefighters along with 35 Tesoro Fire Brigade firefighters were able to obtain a knockdown in three hours and 39 minutes at 8:43 am.

No injuries were reported, although citizens in a one mile radius were briefly encouraged to remain indoors.



Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Battles Fire at Tesoro Oil Refinery

On Monday, September 14, 2009 at 8:20 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Trevor Richmond responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1812 East Century Boulevard in the community of Watts.

EMS 13 arrived first to find two automobiles fully engulfed in flames and threatening a duplex. Additional firefighters were close behind and quickly deployed hand-lines to knockdown the fire, minimizing the exposure to nearby structures. Truck Companies raised ladders to the roof and began aggressive vertical ventilation. Firefighters faced additional hazards from live power lines that were down and were assisted by DWP.

Ninety-five firefighters obtained a knockdown in 31 minutes. One civilian adult female received non life-threatening burns and was transported to a local hospital. Dollar loss was estimated at $225,000 ($150,000 for the structure and $75,000 for the contents). The cause of the fire was a water heater that ignited the fumes of two partially filled 55 gallon drums of gasoline. The flames then spread to the automobiles and structures. American Red Cross was notified and offered temporary housing for the displaced occupants

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Fire in Watts Injures a Civilian

On Friday, September 4, 2009 at 4:48 AM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Buck responded to a Civilian Fatality Fire at 15925 South Orchard Avenue in the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to a 1 story single family dwelling with one room well involved. The fire was reported by neighbors who were awakened by loud noises just before the blaze broke out.

Firefighters immediately made entry into the home, where extreme pack-rat conditions made it very difficult to find the source of the flames. Interior fire attack teams also encountered large holes in the floor of the home in several locations, adding further difficulties during their operations.

The fire moved rapidly throughout the structure, as crews worked diligently to put this blaze out, LAFD personnel soon discovered the lifeless remains of one person inside one of the rooms of the home.

A positive identification of the deceased person including their age, gender as well as the cause, time and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner's Office.

No other injuries were reported.

Monetary loss of the blaze is still being tabulated. The cause of this early morning fire remains under an active investigation.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man Found Dead in Burning Harbor Gateway Home

On Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 7:17 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and a Building and Safety Inspector, under the direction of Battalion Chief Robert Willcox, responded to a Structure Fire at 251 W. 11th Street in the San Pedro/Ports O' Call area.

Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in a 2 story four-plex occupancy. As Firefighters arrived on scene, they found 1 unit on the first floor fully involved in fire. Firefighters made an immense effort deploying handlines on the intensely burning fire. The 1919 constructed four-plex, was illegally converted into several small living quarters for the inhabitants of the occupancy.

The compartmentalization of the residence and the older balloon construction contributed to the rapid spread of the fire to the a second floor unit and the attic, challenging Firefighters. The ventilation team worked energetically, cutting several heat holes to gain control of the fire.

It took 58 Firefighters 33 minutes to knockdown the fire. A Building and Safety Inspector was notified and the occupancy was "red tagged." One male resident, 51, was transported in stable condition with smoke inhalation. One Firefighter was also slightly injured with minor burns. Both men were transported to area hospitals. The cause of the early morning blaze was determined to be electrical. The dollar loss was estimated at $225,000 [$200,000 structure, $25,000 contents]. The Red Cross assisted 11 adults and 1 teen who were displaced with alternative housing.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies on behalf of Melissa Kelley
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in San Pedro Four-plex Displaces 12