LOS ANGELES - An electrical issue is believed to have sparked a swift-moving building fire in the South Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles.

Ninety-two Los Angeles Firefighters were dispatched on Monday, July 11, 2011, following a 12:58 PM phone call from a passerby describing a structure fire at 649 South Anderson Street in an industrial neighborhood a mile-and-a-half southeast of the Los Angeles Civic Center.

LAFD crews arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a well secured 50' x 100' one-story warehouse-like building. Forcing entry through rolling steel doors as chainsaw wielding colleagues ventilated heat and smoke from above, firefighters had the flames under control in just 24 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Los Angeles Police Officers joined LAFD Investigators in further researching the fire and seeking the tenant, for what was declared an accidental fire of an electrical nature. A fire damage estimate was not immediately available.

Dispatched Units: E17 RA616 E202 E2 T2 RA2 E25 E4 T9 EM2 BC1 BC11 E9 E203 E3 T3 E233 T33 E210 T10 E10 E14 SQ21 DC2 EM6 BC13 RA3 UR88 BC5 AR1

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Bring South Boyle Heights Fire Quickly Under Control

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 12:33 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 81 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1427 East 6th Street in the Artists District of L.A.'s Industrial Eastside.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a pair of interconnected one-story commercial buildings measuring 75' x 100', well involved with fire.


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Firefighters swiftly took to the roof to perform vertical ventilation of intense heat and smoke as their colleagues forced entry into the business, extending handlines to do battle at the seat of the fire within the non-fire sprinklered building.

The bulk of the fire was confined to the westernmost part of the conjoined structures that contained furniture manufacturing. The flames were extinguished in just 33 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to the manufacturing and storage facility for Peter Alexander Furniture - which included a vehicle parked within the business, was limited to $275,000 ($200,000 structure & $75,000 contents).

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Sweeps Through Furniture Factory in L.A.'s Industrial Eastside

On Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:19 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Swift Water Rescue Teams under the direction of Assistant Chief Tim Manning responded to a River Rescue at 385 Los Angeles River in the Industrial Eastside area.

When 9-1-1 callers reported a dog in distress within the Los Angeles River and the possibility of someone jumping into the waters to rescue it, sixty LAFD firefighters from across a broad expanse sprang quickly into action on the ground and in the air. Firefighter/Dispatchers queried callers to determine that this 3 year-old German shepherd mix was trapped in frigid fast-moving water and the LAFD wanted the rescue to take place from trained professionals rather than well intentioned individuals that can all-too-easily become victims.


 
Due to recent severe weather, local flood control channels remain swelled with storm-water, causing the Los Angeles Fire Department to remain in a "River Rescue" preparedness status. Members were strategically pre-deployed to a helipad at Piper Tech, where historically many rescues have taken place, providing a short distance to the LA River. At 1119 hours they were dispatched along with ground swift water rescuers to join the Vernon Fire Department in this recovery.

Due to the fast moving water and the steep embankment, the dog was unable to climb out. Once the canine moved from the side of channel to the center, swift water rescue teams were at a disadvantage to reach him, thus the decision was made by Commanders to deploy firefighters from a helicopter in a hoist operation.

Firefighter Joe St Georges was lowered into the rapids and quickly made his way to the dog and despite being continually bit, held on to the frightened pooch as they were lifted to safety.

The helicopter flew a short distance to a nearby bridge, where it landed to transfer the German Shepherd, now nicknamed Vernon, to the care of ground-based LAFD firefighters that offered comfort and provided medical evaluation.

Vernon is being quarantined for observation (routine after a bite) at S.E.A.A.C.A. Animal Shelter and Firefighter St Georges received a bite wound to his hand and various punctures on his arms. Joe was treated and released at USC medical center.

The LAFD wishes to remind citizens that when rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, flood control channels, rivers, and arroyos can quickly fill with fast-moving water, creating a potentially life-threatening danger to anyone who gets caught or swept away. Please keep all animals under supervision and remember it is against the law to be inside a flood control channel in Los Angeles, regardless of the weather.

Thanks to all the firefighters involved and due to their bravery and continual training, this incident had a successful outcome.

After an abundance of requests across the nation to provide cards of thanks and donations, the following address is provided: 200 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. LAFD Administration, Attn.: Dog Rescue.

Submitted by Spokesman Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Heroically Rescues Canine from LA River

On Saturday, August 29th, 2009 at 5:05 PM, 16 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, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Structure Fire at 2016 Mateo Pl. in Industrial East Side.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a 50 by 80 foot, single-story commercial building with heavy smoke and fire billowing from the structure. An immediate and well synchronized offensive attack was made by firefighters inside the building and on the roof.

The blaze began to compromise the roof and the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters out of the building and a progression to a defensive strategy ensued. Using profuse amounts of water via large hose lines and aerial ladder pipes from the exterior of the building, firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire into adjacent businesses.

A knock down was declared in only 24 minutes with the help of 113 Firefighters. There were no injuries reported. The dollar loss is $375,000 ($125,000 for property and $250,000 for contents). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Major Commercial Fire turned into Defensive Attack

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6:40 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and Deputy Chief Mario Rueda under the direction of Assistant Chief Terrance Manning responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 680 S Santa Fe Ave. in the Industrial Eastside of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a large, 100' X 150', single-story commercial building with heavy fire showing. Due to the intensity of the fire and compromised structural safety, a defensive, exterior fire attack was initiated. Firefighters laddered adjacent buildings, taking up defensive positions using large diameter hose lines, to protect the structures.

It took ninety-three Firefighters just 37 minutes to control the blaze. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Destroys Commercial Building East of Downtown Los Angeles