On Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 8:47 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Emergency Air Unit all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Structure Fire at 1000 Elysian Park Avenue in Echo Park.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived to find a moderate amount of lazy smoke drifting across the Top Deck of Dodger Stadium. Firefighters swiftly made their way through crowds of baseball fans while additional colleagues entered the Stadium from an aerial ladder truck.

A small fire comprised predominately of paper goods was located inside an approximate 20' x 20' storage room, made of cinder block construction.

Some fans seated in the Top Deck were calmly moved to another area due to residual smoke, but there was no need for a formal evacuation of the stadium, and play was not stopped. Dodger's staff addressed the public stating "Attention Please: There was a small fire in a confined area that is under control and contained. The Los Angeles Fire Department is onscene and there is no need to evacuate."

Due to the prompt response of 42 Los Angeles Firefighters the flames were confined to the area of origin and fully extinguish in just 20 minutes before anyone was injured. Careful preservation was given to protecting Dodger property and gas powered blowers were strategically utilized to direct remaining smoke away from fans.

The estimated dollar loss is $20,000 ($5,000 property and $15,000 contents). The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

(Home Video)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Rapidly Extinguish Flames At Dodger Stadium

On Friday, January 21, 2011 at 6:39 AM, 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 Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief Joseph Klein, responded to a Structure Fire at 1324 Sutherland Street in Echo Park.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from a 1,412 square-foot hillside single family home.



Navigating through a slim curbside gate and trio of narrow outside staircases to gain access, firefighters muscled hoselines and later ground ladders to battle intense flames that had taken hold of the front portion of a 106-year-old wood frame structure.

As the aggressive fire attack ensued, firefighters were pleased to learn that the home's five occupants had exited the building with minimal injury, prior to the Fire Department's arrival.

One of the residents however, had foolishly reentered the building in an attempt to reclaim possessions, sustaining smoke inhalation as well as first-degree burns to his neck and arms. In good condition following treatment by LAFD Paramedics, the man declined ambulance transport before being released at the scene.

Despite the diligent efforts of 32 Los Angeles Firefighters, one pet cat perished in the blaze. The well-coordinated assault on the flames held direct fire damage to a large front patio, adjacent bedroom, attic and dormer, with firefighters bringing flames under full control in just 17 minutes.

No other injuries were reported.

The three men and two women who lived separately within the home escaped only with their night clothes. They were assisted with temporary housing and human needs by volunteers from the American Red Cross.

There was no immediate evidence of functional smoke alarms within the home, as required by law. Firefighters later determined that the home's occupants owed their survival solely to the happenstance that one resident was awakened by the sound of fire, and was able to alert others.

Loss to the non-fire sprinklered home is estimated at $95,000 ($75,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to the careless discarding of smoking materials on the patio that ignited combustible furnishings.

(video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Five Echo Park Residents Narrowly Escape Inferno

On Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 9:36 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 39 Los Angeles Fire Department Personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Fred J. Mathis responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1023 N. Rampart Bl. in Silver Lake.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire coming from what originally seemed to be a single family dwelling. Once a closer survey of the scene was initiated, they found a detached garage at the rear of the home fully involved with flames.

Fire Crews were immediately met with the threat of exposures from heat to the near by home, as well as civilians who reported that one person may still be trapped inside. Interior fire attack teams made forced entry into what appeared to be a small converted garage. As they aggressively attacked the flames they subsequently discovered the body of a 30 year-old male inside that was beyond any medical aid. No other occupants in the home were injured.

The cause, time ,and how this individual died will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. The official cause of the blaze will remain part of an active Fire Department investigation.

Although loss of life can never be measured, the monetary loss is yet to be determined.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man Dies As Flames Engulf a Converted Garage In Silver Lake

On Thursday, September 10, 2009 a 2:26 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, along with LAPD and DOT under the direction of Battalion Chief Raymundo Gomez responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1411 North Echo Park Avenue in the community of Echo Park.

Firefighters arrived to find a 1 story, L-shaped Mini Mall, approximately 100 foot x 75 foot, with 2 units showing heavy smoke and fire. Engine Companies on scene made an aggressive interior attack with hand lines while Truck Companies provided ladders to the roof and started vertical ventilation. The roof construction was made of lightweight wooden I beam. Truck companies were able to stand over a breeze-way that presented a stable surface to remain on while cutting a heat hole over the fire.

Due to the aggressive attack of all firefighters on scene, the damage was primarily confined to one unit and no injuries were reported. It took 88 firefighters only 35 minutes to knockdown on the blaze. The dollar loss is $350,000 ($200,000 for property and $150,000 for contents). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Submitted by Firefighter Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Fire in Echo Park

On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 11:07 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Joseph Kline, responded to a Structure Fire at 1618 North Benton Way in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived swiftly to find heavy smoke showing from a two-story single family hillside residence with an attic conversion.

Forcing entry into the unoccupied 1,532 square-foot home, firefighters quickly extended handlines to do battle with well entrenched fire, as their rooftop colleagues performed strategic vertical ventilation.

With fire spreading rapidly through the walls and floors due to early 20th century construction, firefighters fought stubborn flames in voids and recesses on two levels, at times challenged by excessive personal storage.

Relentless teamwork by LAFD responders brought the flames under control in just 64 minutes, confining the blaze within the home and limiting damage to $180,000 ($150,000 structure & $30,000 contents).

There were no injuries.

Three residents, including two adults and a child, returned home to discover themselves displaced by the fire, and subsequently sought their own accommodations.

The cause of the blaze was determined to be electrical in nature.

(photo)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Battle Stubborn Fire in Silver Lake Home