SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Two firefighters were injured battling a major emergency structure fire in a South Los Angeles business on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

As firefighters were responding to the 6:30 PM alarm, a large "loom up" of dark smoke could be seen from blocks away.

Firefighters arrived at 121 West Florence Avenue where they found a row of one-story commercial buildings under a common roof with heavy smoke showing. Shortly thereafter, flames erupted outside the structure and careful attention was given to protecting attached and nearby businesses from flame impingement. Firefighters were strategically placed around the large structure as others forced entry inside to do battle with the intense flames.


Multiple ladders were rapidly tilted against the structure from all angles allowing firefighters assigned to truck companies to reach the roof and begin vertical ventilation using chainsaws. Moderate amount of smoke began pouring out of the holes as the chainsaws sunk in and continued to cut. Firefighters inside searched through the dark to reach the seat of the fire. As the fire ripped through the attic, a portion of the roof collapsed on one side, preventing firefighters to continue to make entry from that area.

Firefighters raced the clock as they worked intensely to stop the spread of the flames and save the adjoining businesses along with their contents.

The fire appeared to have started in southwest side of the commercial building and ran up to the attic where it quickly traveled northeast. A total of four businesses, selling furniture, carpet, mattresses and cabinets were damaged. Shortly thereafter the smoke began to lighten as firefighters started to gain the upper hand, then worked on saving the contents of the business. Due to the aggressive work, an offensive attack was used and there was no need to pull firefighters out into a defensive mode.

The building created additional challenges to firefighters due to having an unusual double roof on the northeast side described as an arch truss with 1x6 straight sheeting below, and a corrugated metal roof approximately six feet above.

A total of 166 Los Angeles Firefighters were able to fully extinguish the flames in just 43 minutes by confining the blaze to the building of origin. An additional 40 personnel were summoned to assist in a complete overhaul of the burned premises during the nearly sixteen hour operation.

One firefighter received second degree burns to his hands and another firefighter was taken ill during overhaul operations. Both men were transported to local hospitals where they were treated and released to remain off-duty.

An initial estimate for fire loss was placed at $1,000,000 ($600,000 structure & $400,000 contents). The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E233 E33 T33 RA33 RA833 E57 E64 T64 E264 SQ21 EM2 BC13 BC1 E9 E221 T21 E46 E66 E14 E215 T15 E210 T10 DC2 EM9 BC18 T3 E203 E3 RA5 UR88 BC4 E21 T66 E266 RA3 UR3 RM2 EM6 RT40 E210 T10 E65 E26 T9 AR1 EA1 RA848 RA57 RA264 EM9 E85 UR85 RA85 T85 E285 E94 E295 T95 E29 T26 E226 E63 T94 E294 E5 T61 E261 T33 E233 E95

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

READ MORE - Two Firefighters Injured in South Los Angeles Blaze

SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Doctors in Los Angeles were striving late Monday to save a girl's eyesight following a horrific injury caused by an illegal firework during a private Independence Day celebration.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 10:52 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011 to 617 West 42nd Place in South Los Angeles, where they encountered a 12 year-old girl with severe eye damage.

According to witnesses, the girl had been in front of a home using a sparkler - also illegal in Los Angeles, when another person discharged an illegal 'firecracker-like' device near her face, impaling her right eye.


A team of six LAFD crew members worked in unison to stabilize the injury while providing emotional care to the patient and her family, then quickly transported the girl to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where a team of experts awaited to provide her care.

Los Angeles Police Officers will investigate circumstances of the injury. The personal use of any firework, including so-called "safe and sane" devices has been illegal in the City of Los Angeles since World War II.

Dispatched Units: E14 RA833 RA15

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - L.A. Firework Injury Places Girl's Eyesight at Risk

On Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 1:25 AM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Emergency Air, 1 Emergency Lighting, 1 Rehab Utility, 1 Rehab Air Tender, DWP and LAPD all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1171 East 10th Street in the Wholesale District of downtown Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a large outside fire exposing the rear of two buildings, a tall warehouse connected by a division wall to a one-story building separated into an approximate half dozen, 50' x 100' individual stores containing party supplies.

Firefighters made forcible entry with rotary saws through multiple rolling steel doors into the warehouse to allow fire attack teams inside the unoccupied structure. Simultaneously, their colleagues swiftly took to the conventional bridge truss roof to perform vertical ventilation. Firefighters utilized heavy hose streams and ladder pipe operations to pour large amounts of water in the open lots where additional products were intensely burning, however the fire attack remained offensive. Flames also damaged one section of power lines, pole to pole, causing them to fall.

The first arriving 110 firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze in one hour and eight minutes before any civilians were injured. One Firefighter assigned to a Truck Company suffered back injury and was transported to a local hospital in fair condition.

The total dollar loss is estimated at $195,000 ($120,000 property and $75,000 contents). The cause of the early morning blaze remains under active investigation.

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Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Blaze Injures 1 Firefighter & Damages Structures Downtown

On Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 2:14 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, and one Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 85 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Rudy Hill, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 4321 South Long Beach Avenue in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from a 50' x 50' one-story commercial building converted to a house of worship.

Forcing entry through security doors and windows, firefighters encountered heavy fire within the non-occupied building, including the attic of the wood-frame structure. A well coordinated fire attack, including strategic vertical ventilation, quickly halted the advance of flames, but could not prevent a portion of the flat roof weakened by fire to collapse during the assault.

The flames were confined within the non-fire sprinklered structure and extinguished in just 24 minutes.

During the relentless assault on the fire, one firefighter sustained painful though non-life threatening second-degree burns to his face. In fair condition, he was taken to an area hospital, where he was expected to be treated and released to remain off-duty.

Fire loss to Visions of Heaven Church of God in Christ is estimated at $150,000 ($100,000 structure & $50,000 contents). The cause of this mid-afternoon blaze has been categorized as accidental, and remains under investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fast-moving Fire Heavily Damages Church in South Los Angeles

On Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 10:32 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 13 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Hazardous Materials Investigation at 1530 South Olive Street in the South Park area of Downtown.

Firefighters arrived to a five-story modern building over parking, attached to a smaller two-story building, to investigate a smell of an unusual odor. Some individuals inside this medical clinic stated the odor smelled similar to natural gas. With six persons from the premises initially complaining of generalized sickness, the medical facility doing business as Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center, wisely began its own evacuation of the 25 year-old building. First arriving firefighters immediately extracted and isolated the ill, while summoning an LAFD Hazardous Materials Team.

LAFD HazMat experts donned protective gear as their colleagues commenced a detailed medical assessment on the growing number of patients. A total of 75 firefighters secured the scene, ensured the ventilation systems were shut down and that there was no immediate life-threatening hazard in either of the two buildings. Firefighter / Paramedics rendered medical aid to a total of 18 patients, 17 of which were transported to various local hospitals in stable condition. Medical complaints of most patients were non-life-threatening generalized sickness, such as nausea and weakness.

Great care was taken by Los Angeles Fire Department's extensively trained and equipped HazMat team, whom remained on-scene for over two and a half hours to safely determine that there was no serious threat or escalating hazard. Though the odor dissipated and its source was undetermined, a small amount of Mercaptan, which is added to natural gas to provide its disagreeable odor, was detected in the area.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Haz-Mat Investigates Odor That Hospitalizes 17

On Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 6:56 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 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 86 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8765 South McKinley Avenue in Watts.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire to the rear of and threatening a 25' x 100' residential duplex under construction.

The swift moving flames had consumed a van parked within an attached garage and heavily damaged that structure, before spreading to the unoccupied duplex, which was framed internally with dimensional lumber and externally wrapped in preparation for siding or stucco.

Despite a well coordinated attack that brought flames under control in just 23 minutes, the partially-constructed duplex, as well as the van and garage were destroyed by fire.

There were no injuries reported.

Loss to the van, garage and unoccupied duplex is estimated at $150,000. The fire was determined to be a deliberate act, and remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Watts Fire Destroys Van, Garage & Duplex Under Construction

On Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 5:41 PM, 18 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 12 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 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, 1 Emergency Air, 1 Emergency Lighting, 1 Rehab Air Tender, 1 Bulldozer Team, and 1 Volunteer Service Utility under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 158 East 58th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find a large 1-story commercial building well involved in fire. Additional assistance was quickly requested as firefighters aggressively made their way inside the inferno, arming themselves with large 2 1/2" hose lines. The 4,880 square-foot building ventilated itself as 20' high flames roared through the roof. Within ten minutes the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters to get out of the 53 year-old structure and fight defensively due to the integrity of the building being compromised. Shortly thereafter the roof collapsed. Additional life threatening hazards endangered firefighters as transformers from power lines exploded, electrical wires sagged toward the ground, and the loading dock filled with water.

Just under 150 firefighters surrounded the building, pouring copious amounts of water into it while protecting nearby businesses. The devastating blaze was confined predominately within the business of origin. One adult male firefighter suffered possible heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was admitted for observation, but remained in good condition. Two civilians expressed minor medical complaints and were evaluated, however did not require transport to a hospital. The cause of the fire is under active investigation and the dollar loss of this furniture manufacturing business is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Massive Fire Destroys Building In South L.A.

On Monday, November 15, 2010 at 6:09 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson responded to a Structure Fire at 6310 Avalon Boulevard in South Los Angeles.
 
Firefighters arrived within four minutes to discover fire showing from the roof of a one story, 100’ x 300’ commercial building. Firefighters used rotary saws to force entry through rolling steel doors, allowing their colleagues to extended hand-lines inside. Vertical ventilation was performed on the conventional construction sawtooth roof to remove smoke and heat. The seat of the fire was difficult to locate due to decreased visibility and an abundance of wood-furniture, paint and additional contents. The bulk of the flames appeared to be in a spray-booth and quickly traveled to the roof. This 71 year-old building was equipped with fire sprinklers which assisted holding the flames in check and aided 80 firefighters to extinguish the fire in just 27 minutes. A division wall prevented the flames from spreading horizontally to adjacent units. Fire loss to the A & S Furniture Manufacturers was limited to $125,000 ($100,000 contents and $25,000 structure). One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in good condition. No civilians were injured. The cause of this fire is undetermined.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in Furniture Manufacturers Building In South L.A.

On Thursday, November 4th, 2010 at 8:40 AM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief, under the direction of Battalion Chief D. Spence responded to a Multi Patient Medical Incident at 4410 South Mckinley Avenue in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters quickly responded to George Washington Carver Middle School for a possible overdose, where they found eight students that became ill after eating an unknown type of chocolate. Three boys and five girls, ranging from 12-14 years-old were in the Nurses Office complaining predominately of increased heart rate and blood pressure. Firefighter Paramedics along with the school nurse evaluated the students and determined they should be further analyzed by a doctor. Four ambulances transported two patients each to L.A. County USC Medical Center. We are glad to report that they were in good condition. Exactly what was ingested and if it had an illegal substance in it is was not determined on scene. Further information will come from school officials.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 8 Students Transported To Hospital After Eating Chocolate

On Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 9:22 PM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units and 1 EMS Battalion Captain, a total of 28 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Michael Thomas, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 5207 South Ascot Avenue in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of a small one-story single family home. Forcing entry through the building's front security door, firefighters aggressively tackled flames that had taken hold of the kitchen area of the 800 square foot residence.



In their simultaneous access and search from the rear of the smoke charged structure, firefighters discovered and swiftly rescued a critically injured older woman suffering from severe smoke inhalation. Provided with immediate medical care at the scene, she was transported in grave condition to the Los Angeles County - USC Medical Center.

The bulk of the fire was confined to the kitchen and extinguished in just 15 minutes.

No other injuries were reported.

Though the home was fitted with security doors and the windows had security bars, there were no obvious non-fire factors to impede the woman's egress. While one smoke alarm was discovered in the hallway of the 103-year old wood-frame home, its functional status and role at the time of the fire could not be immediately determined.

The dwelling was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

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


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Woman in Grave Condition Following Kitchen Fire

On Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 9:58 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Antoine McKnight responded to a Structure Fire at 622 South Wall Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived within three minutes to a three-story modern apartment building with fire in one unit on the first floor. While attacking the flames, an unconscious 62 year-old male was discovered on the floor of his small Studio Apartment. He sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to approximately 50% of his body, in addition to a severe respiratory injury. In critical condition, he was treated by LAFD Paramedics, who transported him to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. Sadly, after the patient arrived at the hospital, he died as a result of his injuries.

It took Firefighters just nine minutes to extinguish the blaze, but not before it caused $45,000 ($40,000 structure & $5,000 contents) loss to the approximate 150 square-foot residence. Firefighters determined smoke alarms were present in the home. There were no obvious physical factors impairing egress, and the 29 year-old residence was not equipped with fire sprinklers. The fire was determined to be the result of the occupant smoking while utilizing oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Downtown Apartment Fire Claims One Life

On Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 7:59 AM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson responded to a Structure Fire at 843 East 91st Street in Watts.

Firefighters arrived within four minutes to a one-story single-family-dwelling that had heavy fire showing. Jumping into action, they extended hand-lines inside the wood-framed stucco structure to do battle at the seat of the fire, while their colleagues swiftly took to the roof. Using chainsaws on this "hip" styled roof, the Truck Company had fire blowing out of the ventilation holes they cut. This released heat, smoke and gasses, which assisted another team of Firefighters to perform a detailed interior search of the 1,626 square-foot residence.
 During this search-and-rescue procedure an elderly male was found in the front room, pulseless and non-breathing. Firefighter/Paramedics earnestly provided CPR and Advanced Life Support at the scene and during transportation to a local hospital, where sadly he was later declared deceased.

Twenty-nine Firefighters confined the blaze to just two rooms, and declared a Knockdown in 14 minutes, before flames were able to damage any nearby structures. In examining the fire's aftermath, there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm within the 62-year old residence, nor was it equipped with residential fire sprinklers. There were no window bars or security doors to impair the 86 year-old male's escape. Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $55,000 ($40,000 structure & $15,000 contents). The cause of this fire is undetermined.

Submitted by - Erik Scott, Spokesman,
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Structure Fire in Watts Claims Life of Elderly Male

On Monday, September 6, 2010 at 3:23 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 34 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Charles Combs, responded to a Structure Fire at 611 West 46th Street in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a two-story 4,403 square-foot residential fourplex.


View Larger Pre-Fire Image (you can also click, grab or zoom the image above!)
Finding fire in the attic, firefighters commenced swift salvage operations to protect personal property by deploying tarpaulins within the structure and making judicious use of firefighting hosestreams.

The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the building's common attic, extinguishing the blaze in just 23 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Though loss from the fire was limited to $35,000 ($25,000 structure & $10,000 contents), the need to secure utilities rendered the building temporarily untenable. A total of twenty persons - 15 adults and 5 children - living in the residential fourplex were referred to the American Red Cross for interim placement assistance.

The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in nature, and attributed to dated wiring in the 99 year-old building.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - South Los Angeles Electrical Fire Displaces 20

On Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 7:15 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 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 528 E. Washington Bl. in Washington Blvd Corridor.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming out from a Church in a local neighborhood just outside downtown Los Angeles. A large column of smoke and flames were visible from the street surrounding the incident, with a school and local businesses just a stone throw away. As fire teams mounted a strategy, a significant amount of the flames had to be suppressed before the initial fire attack team could enter the building.

Roof teams quickly made their way up ladders to the top of the structure to cut ventilation holes to release the smoke and super heated gases. Fire crews aggressively advanced hose-lines, to begin extinguishing the flames, but were immediately met with an additional challenge of protecting adjacent structure from the heat. The fire consumed the attic of the church, causing roof compromise and great concerned for the safety of all the firefighters. The Incident Commander ordered all members to transition into a defensive exterior fire fight, but was soon called right back in to an offensive attack.

Two single family dwellings caught fire and posed more of a workload for all personnel at the scene. Due to the quick and decisive work, both adjacent structures received very little fire damage. A nearby blue line track had to be shut down during the entire fire operation to ensure the safety of all those at the scene.

It took approximately 80 firefighters just 41 minutes to achieve a knock down without injury. No civilians were reported to have been in either one of the buildings at the time of the incident. There were no injuries to any of the firefighters. Two adults and three children were displaced, as The American Red Cross was called in for assistance.

The cause of this fire will be under an active investigation by Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators, as well as the multi-agency House of Worship Task Force.


UPDATE
An investigation was conducted by the House of Worship Arson Taskforce, which includes (LAFD, LAPD, ATF, and FBI). Subsequently a Ricardo Aguilar Martinez was arrested the next day and charged with two counts of arson. Mr. Martinez accepted a plea agreement and was convicted on one count of arson 451 (b) PC and was sentence to three years in State Prison.  Upon his release from prison, Martinez must register as a convicted arsonist.


Submitted by Devin Gales & Erik Scott, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Church Caught Ablaze Along The Washington Blvd Corridor

On Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 6:51 AM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 11 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 bull dozers, LAPD, So Cal gas company, dwp, DOT, building & safety, LA County Health Services, Cal Osha, along with other agencies, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daniel McCarthy responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY at 936 East 59th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a 100’ X 100’ one-story commercial building that sustained a massive explosion, which shook windows of nearby businesses. The front one-third of the building and roof collapsed in addition to being well involved in flames. One victim was thrown into the street from the explosion and pinned under a vehicle. Another victim was found in Cardiac Arrest after being electrocuted from power lines that were down. Emergency Traffic was declared over the radio by the Incident Commander to alert all on scene of the electrical hazard.

Firefighters jumped into action, and made a quick aggressive entry into the collapsing building. They endangered their lives to perform a rapid search of this large welding business, in hopes to rescue anyone possibly trapped. No one was immediately found, and due to the structure tumbling down around them, the Firefighters had to exit and battle the blaze defensively. Over 100 Firefighters were able to successfully knockdown the flames in just 25 minutes.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team, was then able to eliminate hazards and shore up beams, allowing a safer environment to perform a detailed and thorough search. K9 units were utilized to locate anyone possibly trapped under the rubble, however there were no hits and no additional victims were found.

Sadly one adult male deceased from electrocution. A second adult male suffered critical burns and was in the ICU at a California hospital awaiting a transfer to LA County USC hospital.

The cause of the explosion was due to illegal tampering with the gas meter. This enclosed structure was likely filling with natural gas, and when an ignition source sparked it, the powerful and deadly explosion occurred. Monetary loss from the explosion is estimated at $250,000 ($175,000 structure & $75,000 contents).


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Deadly Building Explosion in South LA

On Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 11:43 PM, 41 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 21 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 8 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and 2 Bulldozers under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 761 East Slauson Avenue in South Los Angeles.
More than 200 Los Angeles Firefighters were requested over the course of the incident to help battle a blaze at a large two-story commercial structure that encompassed six occupancies over an entire city block. Firefighters quickly arrived at United Alloys and Metals to find heavy fire at an industrial facility known for processing titanium and super alloy scrap.

The 73 year-old structures between Paloma Avenue and Mckinley Avenue, were quickly engulfed in flames and forced firefighters into a defensive attack early during this huge fire fight. Shortly after midnight the decision was made to pull all Firefighters out of the structure and attack the flames from the exterior. Approximately 20 minutes following this decision a partial wall collapse, roof collapse, and a total of three explosions took place. These massive blasts rained down debris of concrete and titanium on Firefighters and even shattered windows of emergency vehicles. From this point forward it became a heavy stream operation with ladder pipes and portable monitors that provided huge volumes of water against the intense flames. Despite the challenges of extinguishing burning titanium and the devastating explosions, the blaze was controlled in just five hours. Exhausted Firefighters were relieved the next morning by their colleagues who continued the extended overhaul and detailed salvage procedure. Firefighter/Specialists certified in heavy equipment operation brought LAFD tractors to the scene to assist in the painstaking extinguishment of debris, an effort that continued through out the balance of the next day. Building and Safety Inspectors were also called to assess the structural integrity of the buildings.

Three firefighters were injured, two sustained small but severe burns to their hands, one of which also had burns to his ears and low oxygen saturation. The third firefighter injured his ear drums. All three were treated at local hospitals.

The damage has been estimated at $5,000,000 ($4,000,000 structure & $1,000,000 contents). The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The LAFD battled a similar blaze at 900 East Slauson Avenue on Friday, June 11th of this year.

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Submitted by Erik Scott and Cecil Manresa, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 3 Firefighters Injured At Huge Industrial Blaze In South L.A.

Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section have released dramatic unedited video of vandals and arsonists attacking a taxi in Los Angeles following the June 17, 2010 NBA Finals.

If you have information regarding those seen in this troubling video - especially the person(s) igniting and stoking the spread of flame, please call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section directly at (213) 485-6095.

Those with surveillance camera footage or personal camera and cellphone video of this and other acts of arson are encouraged to call LAFD Investigators.

You can help: Share this by e-mail, post a link via social media or embed the video (and our request) on your Facebook page, website or blog.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Investigators Release Dramatic Arson Video

On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 3:32 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 17 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 LAFD Brush Patrol Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 68 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Terry Manning, gathered for a Special Event Standby near the Staples Center arena at 1111 South Figueroa Street in the Convention Center District of Los Angeles.

In the seventh and decisive game of the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious against the Boston Celtics.

In the 3 hours that followed the game, 68 strategically deployed Los Angeles Firefighters responded to 37 incidents within a one-half mile tactical area surrounding Staples Center.

LAFD incidents included 15 rubbish fires, 1 vegetation fire, three vehicle fires and 18 medical aid requests for persons ill or injured. A total of 8 persons were taken by Fire Department ambulance to area hospitals.

The age, gender, condition and affiliation of patients, as well as the circumstances of their illness and/or injuries was not immediately available.

The lawless behavior of some celebrants following the game remains under investigation by Los Angeles Police Department officials.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Battles Fire and Renders Aid Following Lakers Victory

On Friday, June 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM, 36 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 16 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 1 Helicopter, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 248 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as Los Angeles County Fire Department staff responding in Mutual Aid, all under the direction of LAFD Deputy Chief Mario Rueda, responded to a Major Emergency Industrial Fire at 900 East Slauson Avenue in South Los Angeles.

Responding to numerous cell phone callers providing non-specific information regarding one or more explosions and a well-established fire, Los Angeles Firefighters quickly arrived at United Alloys and Metals to find heavy fire at an industrial facility known for processing titanium and super alloy scrap.

Firefighters came to the immediate aid of a worker critically injured by an earlier explosion and fire, as they brought huge volumes of water to bear upon intense flames encompassing a 150' x 100' area that included titanium shavings in large bins and containers.


Despite the challenge of subsequent explosions and resultant precautions, the first arriving 160 firefighters were able to tame the blaze in just 2 hours and 22 minutes.

Along with the critically injured civilian, one Los Angeles Police Officer suffered a minor injury during the course of the fire. Both were taken to an area hospital by LAFD Ambulance.

The ensuing investigation and stabilization of the scene kept scores of Los Angeles Firefighters on site for more than 24 hours.

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

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Submitted by Cecil Manresa and Brian Humphrey, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Massive Fire and Explosions Rock South L.A. Metal Processing Firm

On Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 1:48 PM, 12 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, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams,1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 L.A.County Fire Companies,1 L.A.County Battalion Command Team under the direction of Battalion Chief D. Spence responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1837 Slauson Ave. in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a 40'x125' commercial medal clad building with heavy smoke and fire showing. Entry teams forced their way in using power tools but were delayed due to an arcing power line at the front of the structure. As personnel addressed the forcible entry problems at the door, roof teams mounted an attack from above with a degree of difficulty ventilating the roof.

As the fire began to spread, crews thought a defensive attack might be necessary. A partial roof collapse ensued. However due to the aggressive efforts of all firefighters on scene and a well coordinated attack, the flames were kept in check using handlines.

Although the building, doing business as a manufacturing company was considered a total loss, no civilians or firefighters were injured during the battle.

It took a total of 87 firefighters just 26 minutes to fully extinguish the flames. Monitory loss from the fire is estimated at $140,000 ( $90,000 structure & $50,000 content). The cause of the fire is attributed to electrical work being done, when a spark lit nearby flammable materials.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Ravages A Commercial Building In South L.A.