On Monday, June 6, 2011 at 3:45 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, 1 Emergency Air Unit, a total of 95 Firefighters all under the direction of Assistant Chief David Yamahata responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1400 South Kenmore Avenue in Pico-Union area of Downtown Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a two-story center-hallway apartment with heavy smoke pouring out from a penthouse door. The 24 unit, 84 year-old building was unoccupied due to being tented for termite control. Firefighters swiftly extended ground ladders to the roof of the 10,000 square foot building to perform strategic vertical ventilation with chainsaws, as their colleagues deployed hose-lines into units to halt the spread of flame. The majority of the fire originated in a bathroom, however flames rapidly ran up walls and into the attic. The blaze was fully extinguished in just 34 minutes before anyone was injured. The cause appeared to be electrical components in the ceiling of one unit. Approximately four units sustained the bulk of the damage. The dollar loss is still being tabulated.

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

READ MORE - LA Firefighters Battle Apartment Blaze in Pico-Union

On Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:43 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Rideout responded to a Structure Fire at 1183 S. Hoover St. in Korea town.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from one of the lower units, of a two story four-plex. Firefighters skillfully forced entry through the well secured structure, while extending hoselines into the home's entry way to do battle within.

Fire crews were immediately notified that occupants were still somewhere in the unit and may be trapped. As they aggressively fought the flames, a simultaneous search for victims went underway. Fire teams soon discovered one adult female and one adult male without vital signs of life. Firefighters immediately initiated basic and advanced life support measures while rushing them both to an area hospital in grave condition.

Other personnel on scene continued a systematic search of the smoke charged home, locating an additional victim who was treated and transported in stable condition for smoke inhalation. 53 firefighters mounted a bold and decisive attack on the fire, confining it to the one unit, and extinguishing the flames in 31 minutes. Unfortunately, and despite the prompt work of Los Angeles Firefighter/Paramedics and hospital staff, an adult female was declared deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital. Seeking to offer additional comfort to grieving friends and neighbors, the LAFD mobilized to provide compassionate assistance to those closest to the victim.

Ten individuals were displaced as a result of this incident, and the American Red Cross was called in to assist those residents who stand in need. The monetary loss from a fire can not truly be weighed in the wake of the loss of life, however the dollar loss of this incident is still being tabulated. There were no other injuries reported. A positive identification of the deceased, as well as the cause, manner and time of her death will be determined by Coroner's officials. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Four-Plex Catches Fire Claiming One Life

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 9:50 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Fred J. Mathis responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 2528 West Olympic Boulevard in Korea town.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke and fire showing from the roof of a two-story 'U' shaped 'strip mall' of commercial businesses. Rotary saws were utilized to force entry allowing firefighters to quickly deploy hand lines and begin extinguishing the flames.

Two Truck Companies were assigned to the roof and worked extensively to remove heavy tiles in order perform vertical ventilation. The majority of the flames originated from the facade on the roof and with the expertise of all firefighters on scene, the horizontal spread of the fire was soon halted.

Seventy four firefighters were able to obtain a knockdown in just 31 minutes at 10:21 PM. The cause was electrical and the dollar loss is $225,000 ($175,000 property and $50,000 contents). No injuries were reported.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Damages Strip Mall In Korea Town

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department warmly welcome you to join civic and community leaders, including Fire Chief Douglas Barry, at the public dedication and grand opening of the LAFD's newest Neighborhood Fire Station.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
New Fire Station 13
2401 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90006

We are pleased to offer an interactive map with driving directions to this new facility, which is now in service protecting the Pico-Union and Koreatown neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Following Saturday's dedication ceremony, there will be food and entertainment as well as a chance to tour Southern California's newest Fire Station. All members of the community are welcomed to this family-themed public event.

A Brief History of Fire Station 13...

Now housing an Engine Company, Paramedic Rescue Ambulance and serving as Battalion 11 Headquarters, new Fire Station 13 replaces a cramped and inefficient facility on South Vermont Avenue that opened in 1950.


Former Fire Station 13 was designed to house no more than four male firefighters and one limited-role (now antique) fire apparatus serving an established neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles.

Constructed for $79,730 on a 50' x 190' lot, the fifty-eight year old former facility was deemed deficient in meeting modern seismic safety, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, Building Code, ADA and separate gender accommodation issues.

LAFD operational and societal advances over nearly six decades made that 4,758 square-foot station - and only slightly larger parcel of land, inadequate for providing timely and effective response to a community that now includes sizeable commercial and industrial properties as well as many large multi-story apartments.

A New Fire Station for Pico-Union and Koreatown...

The new 15,250 square-foot Fire Station 13 is built on a one acre site, and is designed to address modern response needs while bringing efficiency to LAFD's workforce - and therefore convenience and enhanced service to a vibrant neighborhood we've long been proud to be a part of.

The energy conserving 6-bay facility also features an important "drive through" feature that prevents the need to block traffic on busy Pico Boulevard when rehousing Fire Department vehicles.

We encourage you to learn more about new Fire Station 13 and the many Fire Department facilities being modernized through Proposition F by viewing a highly detailed on-line Monthly Progress Report.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Please don't forget your camera!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Grand Opening of Fire Station 13 in Los Angeles