On Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2:53 PM, 8 Fire Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, all under the direction of Division Chief Michael Little, responded to a Brush Fire in the Cahuenga Pass Area near the 101 freeway.

A small column of smoke ascending from the hillside area alerted passing motorists to a growing grass fire. Firefighters encountered approximately one quarter acre of grass burning uphill with little wind, approximately one half mile south of Barham Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard. As additional Firefighters arrived they were deployed to attack the hot flanks of the fire in an attempt to control the perimeter of fire and provide protection for any near by structures.

Over 32 Firefighters were strategically deployed for a quick aggressive attack on the sides of the fire and were able to gain control and extinguish the flames in 23 minutes. Due to favorable weather conditions and an aggressive, well coordinated attack on the fire, no structures were damaged. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was unintentional and undetermined.

Submitted by Diana Igawa & Erik Scott, Spokespersons
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Grass Fire Near Cahuenga Pass

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 10:01 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 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 Richard Rideout, responded to a Structure Fire at 2747 North Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire showing from a one-story hillside home.

Forcing entry into the smoke-charged residence, firefighters quickly encountered household pets seeking to escape the blaze, and soon commenced an exhaustive search of the 1,288 square-foot building to find and rescue a half-dozen more animals in severe to extreme distress.

The fire was swiftly confined to the home's kitchen and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

The total of nine pets rescued from the burning home, including four dogs and five cats, were cared for by Los Angeles Firefighters, who soon determined that two dogs and two cats were beyond medical help.

Following more than a half-hour of on-scene care by firefighters, the two dogs and three cats who survived the blaze, were entrusted to the care of a responder from the Department of Animal Services.

No human injuries were reported.




Monetary loss to the 55 year-old home - unoccupied by humans at the time of the fire, is estimated at $110,000 ($75,000 structure & $35,000 contents). The cause of the late night blaze is categorized as electrical.

We were deeply touched by this video statement from the resident...



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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Firefighters Pull Nine Pets From Burning Hollywood Hills Home

On Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 8:43 AM, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by law enforcement officials to commence a post-fire investigation at the Temple Israel of Hollywood at 7300 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

In a media statement, the Los Angeles Police Department described a burglary during which a small fire was set in a temple classroom. The fire was reportedly extinguished prior to the Police Officer's arrival. There were no injuries, and damage to the synagogue school was described as minimal.

Pursuant of protocol, the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force was deployed, bringing local specialists from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation to join Investigators from the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments.

With concurrence of the investigation team, the Los Angeles Fire Department released video and still images of the suspect.




The following statement and booking photo was issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department on April 20, 2011:

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section as the lead agency of the House of Worship Arson Task Force which includes members from the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives have made an arrest in connection with the Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., arson incident which occurred on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

Arson & Burglary Suspect Dmitriy Sheyko
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The suspect, Dmitriy Sheyko is currently in custody and has been charged with the Temple Israel of Hollywood burglary and arson incident, as well as several additional intentional fires in the Hollywood Hills. The additional fires occurred on the night of April 17, 2011, at a construction site that was in close proximity to where Sheyko had been detained by Los Angeles police officers conducting a burglary investigation.

Today, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reviewed the facts of the case as presented by LAFD and LAPD Investigators, which resulted in the filing of 19 felony counts against Sheyko. The charges filed include multiple counts of burglary, arson and the use of a destructive device. Bail has been set at $3,000,000.

Anyone who believes that they recognize this individual as being tied to any other crimes or fires are encouraged to contact Arson Investigators at the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213)485-6095.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Officials Identify and Release Booking Photo of Hollywood Temple Arson Suspect

On Friday, January 21, 2011 at 3:57 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 84 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Craig Yoder, responded to a Confined Space Rescue at 4501 West Colorado Boulevard in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles.

Responding to a report of persons unconscious within the 269,000 square-foot Baxter Healthcare Corporation blood plasma fractionation facility, first arriving Los Angeles Firefighters swiftly established a perimeter, command post and safe staging location as they donned protective gear to enter the facility.



Joined quickly by additional firefighters, and with an LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad and LAFD Urban Search & Rescue Team on the way, firefighters discovered and rescued an adult male found pulseless and non-breathing.

Nearby the man, but trapped within the confines of a cylindrical vessel, firefighters discovered a pair of his coworkers unconscious.

According to witnesses, the three men had been cleaning and/or maintaining high-technology medical equipment when they were suddenly overcome. The exact sequence in which the men collapsed has yet to be confirmed.

As LAFD personnel moved the first lifeless worker to an area of safety for advanced medical care, firefighters utilized strength and ingenuity to safely extract the pair of unconscious men through a 24" diameter portal atop the permanently mounted four-foot-tall by five-foot-wide tank in which they were imperiled.

The two critically ill men rescued from the tank, and their gravely ill colleague - who had his pulse and blood pressure restored by the skilled effort of LAFD Paramedics - were rushed alive to a trio of nearby hospitals. Though Los Angeles Police Officers later informed LAFD that one of the men had died, it was not immediately clear which had succumbed.

While LAFD Hazardous Materials experts determined a significant presence of ethanol in the area where the men collapsed, it was not immediately clear what role the substance had played, in whole or in part, in the worker's demise or his colleague's being rendered unconscious.

No other employee or responder injuries were reported.

Pursuant of protocol, Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department and Cal/OSHA responded to the scene to commence their respective death and injury investigations. The aforementioned agencies will be working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner to positively identify the decedent, and to determine the precise cause, time and manner of his death.

Questions regarding the presence, need or injured men's use of safety equipment and approved worksite procedures remain within the purview of Cal/OSHA officials.

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

READ MORE - LAFD Performs Confined Space Rescue at Atwater Village Medical Firm

On Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 1:39 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Fred Mathis responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 127 North Serrano Avenue in Southeast Hollywood.

The first fire company arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from the rear of a two story, Victorian Style single family dwelling. Firefighters were immediatly met with the challenge of 7-8 mph winds which pushed the fire through the structure causing a rapid spread of the flames.

Handlines were established and forced entry was made to do battle within the occupancy. Two minutes into the fight, a partial roof collapse occurred, while roof teams were cutting holes to release the super heated gases from inside the home. The Incident Commander ordered all companies out of the building and off the roof for a short defensive attack.

All personnel re-launched an aggressive and well-coordinated offensive attack confining the fire to the structure of origin. Due to the strong efforts of 77 Los Angeles Firefighters, the flames were brought under control in less than 31 minutes.

Two of the home's occupants made it out just prior to the structure being engulfed by flames. One adult male suffered a minor first degree burn to the hand and was treated on scene.

Fire loss is estimated at $380,000 ($300,000 structure & $80,000 contents). Although it is still unclear as to how this fire broke out, the cause of this early morning will remain under an active investigation by the LAFD.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Tears Through Two-Story Hollywood Home

On Monday, November 1, 2010 at 6:44 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit and 1 EMS Battalion Captain, a total of 47 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Joseph Klein, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 553 South Windsor Boulevard in the Windsor Square area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a large 3 story single family home. Immediately entering the 11,205 square-foot residence, firefighters discovered and assisted a 74 year-old woman in exiting the smoke charged building.

As crews searched within the massive home, additional firefighters circling the nearly half-acre lot soon discovered three men - including one wheelchair bound, in distress on a second floor balcony. Raising a 35' ground ladder and climbing to the stranded men's location, a pair of firefighters rapidly determined the trio could be safely sheltered in place as LAFD crews tackled flames and strategically abated the smoke.

Within minutes, firefighters were able to safely utilize an interior stairway to evacuate the men, bringing them to waiting Paramedics. The two younger males, ages 38 and 40 declined medical treatment or transportation.

The 65 year-old man who had been utilizing the wheelchair, as well as the woman earlier assisted by firefighters, were taken to area hospitals in fair condition for examination of smoke exposure.

 
The stubborn flames were confined within the deep recesses of the walls and ceiling of the first floor kitchen, and extinguished in just 38 minutes.

No other injuries were reported.

The relationship between the four persons assisted by Los Angeles Firefighters could not be immediately ascertained. Pursuant of protocol, the LAFD did not formally determine or publicly release their identities.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $200,000 ($150,000 structure & $50,000 contents). The early morning blaze originated in the kitchen area, and is considered to have been accidental in nature.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in Windsor Square Home Sends Two to Hospital

On Monday, August 9, 2010 at 4:57 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 4 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 LAFD Water Tender , LA City Park Rangers, 2 LA County Helicopters, 4 LA County Hand Crews, 1 Glendale/Burbank Strike Team under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Greater Alarm Brush Fire at 5 fwy at Ventura fwy in Griffith Park.


Firefighters arrived to find 1 acres of medium to heavy brush burning alongside the hills near the 5 freeway ½ mile from the L.A. Zoo. Although the fire was originally difficult to get to, and with winds speeds around 8 mph, ground crews quickly used hand lines to reach the flames. Water dropping helicopters were quickly called in to action to assist in attacking the fire from above. Firefighters continued to reach the head of the fire though rough terrain, holding the blaze to less than 5 acres.

The nearby Zoo remained open and out of harms way during the incident, with no evacuations issued. There were no threats to any structures or civilians involved during the incident.

A total of 77 LAFD firefighters along with the assistance of multiple agencies, worked diligently to bring the fire to full containment in just one hour and eight minutes. The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined by Fire Department Officials.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 5 Acre Brush Fire Near La Zoo

On Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 1:08 AM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Ralph Ramirez, responded to a Structure Fire at 1014 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived in less than four minutes to find heavy smoke billowing from a 2,500 square-foot, one-story commercial building doing business as LA Dogworks, a self-described "retreat for dogs".

Firefighters rapidly deployed handlines through the dark, smoke filled building, navigating their way to a rear mezzanine where the bulk of flames were located.

The intense fire burned through the roof, but firefighters were able performed strategic vertical ventilation on the arched truss roof to release heat and gasses. These actions, combined with the building's elaborate HVAC system, provided clean air for canines to breathe.

The fire was extinguished in just 32 minutes.

All dogs were promptly accounted for and relocated by staff with assistance from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, which responded to the scene. Though no dog injuries were observed by or reported to firefighters, the facility owner later in the day told reporters that one dog had died.

No human injuries were reported.

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

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Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Save Scores of Dogs When Hollywood Kennel Erupts in Flames

On Monday, November 9, 2009 at 6:15 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Rehab Air Tender and 1 Emergency Air under the direction of Assistant Chief David Yamahata responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1425 Detroit Street in Hollywood.

Lightforce 27 quickly arrived to find fire showing from a unit on the third floor of a four story U-shaped apartment building that was under construction. Additional resources were swiftly requested.

Firefighters made a concentrated effort to quickly extinguish this early evening fire. A Drop Bag operation was rapidly performed to bring hoselines to the third floor while firefighters on the roof cut 'heat-holes' allowing heat, smoke and gases to escape.

This proved to be a fast moving fire that started on the third floor and without delay traveled through the walls of five units. Several other units suffered water damage.

Firefighters not only had to battle the blaze but met additional dangers early on with electrical wires arching and having to navigate with limited visibility over smoke filled floors that hid a large hole from an unfinished trash chute being constructed. Due to firefighters keeping safety in the forefront of their mind and the keen supervision of the Incident Commander, no injuries occurred.

The blaze was fully extinguished by 101 firefighters in one hour and seventeen minutes limiting the damage to $50,000 ($50,000 structure & $0 contents). The cause of the blaze was from 'sweating pipe' on the third floor.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Rips Through 4 Story Hollywood Apartments

On Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at 8:29 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 Helicopter, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1800 N. Camino Palmero, in West Hollywood Hills.

Firefighters arrived to find a large three story single family dwelling with heavy smoke and fire showing from one room on the second floor. Fire crews quickly commenced the deployment of handlines, but met the difficult task of forcible entry into the structure. Interior fire attack teams worked diligently to find the source of the flames, while roof operation teams cut several holes attempting to locate the origin of the fire.

It took firefighters several minutes to find the main fire, with only thick heavy pressurized smoke visible. As crews continued to work exhaustibly, the fire had spread rapidly through the walls as well as into the attic of the large home.Due to the angle of the fire, water had to be supplied to the roof team to begin extinguishing the bulk of the flames.

Several firefighters working in and on top the structure were forced rotate their operations, for rest and rehabilitation, due to high rigorous demand. It took 103 firefighters just over two hours to knocked down the blaze.

One Fire Captain suffered a minor burn to one hand, along with two firefighters who suffered from heat exhaustion, all three were treated and released at the hospital and are expected to recover. The dollar loss is $3,000,000 ($1,500,000 for structure and $1,500,000 for contents). The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales,Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Engulfs Large 3 Story Home in Hollywood

On Saturday, April 11,2009 at 1308 PM, 1 Company of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance and 1 EMS Battalion Captain responded to a Fatal Injury at 505 South Vermont Avenue in Mid-Town Los Angeles.

Paramedics arrived quickly to find an 18 month old male with severe injuries to his body after being run over by a large Sport Utility Vehicle at a full service car wash.


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The small child was playing unattended when he was crushed by one of the tires of the vehicle. He was quickly treated on scene by firefighter/paramedics and was rushed to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, where he was Pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Circumstances surrounding the incident are being further investigated by the LAPD. Counseling was provided to all parties involved at the scene.

The tragic death of this young boy servers as a reminder of how important it is to keep a strict watch over our little ones especially any place where vehicles are present.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Toddler Killed at Los Angeles Car Wash