On Friday, May 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 52 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Manuel Lafarga responded to a Structure Fire with Firefighter Injury at 1148 South Mirasol Street in the Hobart area of South Boyle Heights.
 




Firefighters arrived to find a 761 sqft Single Family Dwelling with heavy fire showing, exposing an approximate 500 sqft structure in the rear. Additional resources were immediately requested. Teams of Los Angles Firefighters made swift forcible entry and extended hand-lines to do battle with the well entrenched flames, as their colleagues scaled the roof of the 88 year-old wood frame home to perform vertical ventilation.

Due to the aggressive attack and well coordinated fire-fight, the blaze was fully extinguished in just 21 minutes before any civilians were injured. The residence was equipped with smoke alarm(s), however their functional status and role at the time of the fire could not be immediately determined.

A Tillerman Firefighter was injured while climbing a ladder to the roof, and the base of the ladder slipped on the concrete. The Firefighter fell approximately five to nine feet on his back and suffered a fractured right wrist, bruised ribs and injured back. He was transported to a local hospital in fair condition, where he has since been released home and is recovering.

Estimated dollar loss totaled $350,000: main house $200,000 ($140,000 structure & $60,000 contents), back house $150,000 ($125,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Firefighter Injured at Structure Fire

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM, 16 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, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 116 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 3518 East 15th Street in South Boyle Heights.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to discover fire through the roof of a 60' x 125' metal-clad two-story commercial building housing a metal polishing and refinishing firm.

The half-dozen workers within the business when the fire erupted, were able to escape unharmed prior to the Fire Department's arrival.

Firefighters made swift entry to find intense fire in the easternmost portion of the non-fire sprinklered building. Aided by strategic vertical ventilation performed with chainsaws by their colleagues on the roof above, LAFD crews were able to stand their ground against towering flames, eventually driving back the fire and sparing a full 75% of the business from damage.

No injuries were reported.

Fire loss to LAX Wheel Refinishing is estimated at $130,000 ($100,000 structure & $30,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - L.A. Firefighters Limit Damage to South Boyle Heights Business

On Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 10:43 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 5 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Emergency Air Tender and Los Angeles County Fire Department Personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief David Yamahata responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3666 East Whittier Boulevard in South Boyle Heights.



Firefighters quickly arrived to a one-story commercial building with heavy fire showing and promptly ordered additional assistance. The unoccupied building, doing business as East LA Wholesale Beverages is located at the border of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's service area, and that agency also responded.

Fire Entry Teams made forcible entry into the 100’ X 100’ main building, which was separated by a division wall with a rolling steel door from a 50’ X 50’ attached shed like portion. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack with hand-lines and fought their way through scorching heat, thick smoke and boxes of merchandise to locate the origin of the flames. Additional firefighters laddered the conventional roof of the building and commenced strategic vertical ventilation, with fire blowing through the holes they cut.

Due to the diligent effort of just under 100 LAFD Firefighters on scene and with the assistance from 20 Los Angeles County Firefighters, the stubborn blaze was extinguished in one hour and eight minutes. No additional structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. The dollar loss is estimated at $1.7 million ($200,000 structure and $1.5 million contents). The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

(photos)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Late Night Fire Rips Through Building In Boyle Heights

On Monday, July 26, 2010 at 6:35 AM, 20 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 10 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 8 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 LAFD Heavy Equipment Operators, 1 LAFD Emergency Air Unit, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 153 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), all under the direction of LAFD Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire with Civilian Fatalities at 821 South Esperanza Street in South Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived swiftly to discover heavy smoke showing from a one story 100 x 100, lightweight constructed commercial building.

Entry teams used several tools in an attempt to force their way into the structure through a series of security doors. Due to the building’s lack of structural integrity, volume of fire and concerns for firefighter safety, the Incident Command Team shifted from an offensive firefighting strategy to that of a defensive firefighting strategy.


After a bulk of the flames was knocked down, entry teams as well as roof team were able to mount an aggressive attack on the blaze. The structure, doing business as a tire and muffler shop, had tires and other auto parts stored on the roof and in several locations within the occupancy. The fire, which was difficult to fight, was skillfully confined to only the building of origin.

One victim, who had reportedly, attempted to extinguish the flames on his own, suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns over 40% of his body before being rescued by firefighters and paramedics.

A second victim who had left the scene earlier returned with severe burns to his upper body. The first victim a 61 y/o male is listed in critical condition while the second victim a 33 y/o male was treated at the scene.

Both victims were apparently within the building at the time of the incident and were able to escape with their lives. The two men were transported to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. It is unclear as to why the men and possibly others were inside the business at that hour.

During continued operations and despite the prompt and valiant efforts of all 153 personnel at the scene, firefighters later discovered two unconscious, non-breathing adults without vital signs of life. Both were declared deceased at the scene.

The ages and genders could not be immediately determined and no other victims were found.

The stubborn fire was finally knocked down 1 hour after the initial call.

Pursuant of protocol, Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments were summoned for a joint investigation, later joined by members of the ATF's Los Angeles Field Division and National Response Team.

A positive identification of the deceased, as well the cause, time and manner of their deaths will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Claims Two Lives, Critically Injures Two Others

On Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 11:40 PM, 13 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 91 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief James Gaffney, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3525 East Emery Street in South Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire showing through the roof vents and skylights of a 150' x 150' one-story commercial building.

Forcing entry into the secured structure with hand and power tools, firefighters made an aggressive and well-coordinated assault on the fire, extending handlines to the core of the furniture manufacturing firm, as their colleagues performed strategic vertical ventilation of the arched truss roof above.

Timely and effective teamwork by dozens of firefighters prevented flames from extending horizontally beyond the core of the building, sparing the bulk of the business from severe fire damage.

The flames were extinguished in just 26 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

Fire loss to Yesenia's Upholstery is estimated at $800,000 ($300,000 structure and $500,000 contents).

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


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Chars Furniture Factory in South Boyle Heights

On Monday, August 24, 2009 at 0:43 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 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 Terry Manning responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3510 E 14th St in South Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived swiftly to a 50 x 100 foot commercial building fully involved with heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof. As crews began their initial attack into the structure, they met the challenge of gaining access through two large rolling steel doors.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire at the doors and deployed large handlines to begin knocking down the bulk of the flames. A consideration was made to go toward a defensive attack, as the building became more and more unstable. Additional handlines were set in place to facilitate protection of the adjacent structures. All roof operations were halted due to partial roof collapse.

It took 106 Firefighters just under one hour to completely extinguish the blaze. There were however no injuries on this incident.

The estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated and the cause of the early morning blaze is under investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Blaze Rips Through Commercial In Boyle Heights

On Monday, August 3, 2009 at 6:23 AM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Dennis Waters responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 2961 E Wynwood Ln. in South Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire from the top floor of a 2 story apartment complex. Fire attack teams quickly deployed handlines in a effort to stop the spread of fire thru common walls. Firefighters made forceable entry into the structure and found most of the contents already consumed. Do to the strategic and simultaneous efforts of Firefighters performing vertical ventilation as well as an aggressive ground attack, the flames were confined to one unit.

The well coordinated effort of 96 Firefighters were able to mitigate and control this early morning blaze without any civilian injuries. Eight occupants were displaced and the American Red Cross was summoned to clothe and shelter these residents. There were minor facial and foot injuries to two firefighters respectively.

A knockdown was obtained in just 15 minutes limiting the damage to $250,000 ($200,000 structure & $50,000 contents). The cause of this fire was attributed to a water heater.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Responds In Force To Apartment Fire