On Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 8:43 AM, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned by law enforcement officials to commence a post-fire investigation at the Temple Israel of Hollywood at 7300 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

In a media statement, the Los Angeles Police Department described a burglary during which a small fire was set in a temple classroom. The fire was reportedly extinguished prior to the Police Officer's arrival. There were no injuries, and damage to the synagogue school was described as minimal.

Pursuant of protocol, the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force was deployed, bringing local specialists from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation to join Investigators from the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments.

With concurrence of the investigation team, the Los Angeles Fire Department released video and still images of the suspect.




The following statement and booking photo was issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department on April 20, 2011:

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section as the lead agency of the House of Worship Arson Task Force which includes members from the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives have made an arrest in connection with the Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., arson incident which occurred on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

Arson & Burglary Suspect Dmitriy Sheyko
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The suspect, Dmitriy Sheyko is currently in custody and has been charged with the Temple Israel of Hollywood burglary and arson incident, as well as several additional intentional fires in the Hollywood Hills. The additional fires occurred on the night of April 17, 2011, at a construction site that was in close proximity to where Sheyko had been detained by Los Angeles police officers conducting a burglary investigation.

Today, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reviewed the facts of the case as presented by LAFD and LAPD Investigators, which resulted in the filing of 19 felony counts against Sheyko. The charges filed include multiple counts of burglary, arson and the use of a destructive device. Bail has been set at $3,000,000.

Anyone who believes that they recognize this individual as being tied to any other crimes or fires are encouraged to contact Arson Investigators at the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213)485-6095.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Officials Identify and Release Booking Photo of Hollywood Temple Arson Suspect

Please join the Los Angeles Fire Department in conjunction with the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation in an honorary awards luncheon for 24 Los Angeles Fire Department members. This ceremony will highlight their distinguished acts of bravery and courage. 

WHO:             Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Chief Millage Peaks

                     City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

DATE:           Thursday, March 3, 2011

TIME:             Ceremony begins at 11:30 am

LOCATION:  Hollywood Palladium 6215 W. Sunset, Blvd. Hollywood, CA  90028

The Los Angeles Fire Department acknowledges these acts of bravery and courage through four different awards:

Medal of Valor is awarded to a sworn member of the Department who has demonstrated bravery at great personal risk to his or her own life, beyond a doubt and clearly above the call of duty, whether on or off duty.

Medal of Merit is awarded to a sworn member, distinguished by performing an act where if not taken, would have resulted in serious injury or present imminent danger to life.  The member must have demonstrated a conspicuous act of bravery with calculated personal risk to his or her own life.

Letter of Special Commendation is awarded to any department member who has performed an act during emergency or non-emergency conditions requiring initiative and /or ability worthy of recognition.

Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a retired sworn member of the department who exemplifies the true spirit of “Service to the Community” through his or her actions while on active duty and as a retired member.

MEDIA PARKING AVAILABLE IN LOT OFF OF ARGYLE AVE.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Honors Acts Of Bravery And Courage

On Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 7:42 PM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 23 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Chris Kawai, responded to rescue riders stranded on a Ferris wheel at 1521 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

Summoned by carnival operators who had established a short-term presence on the athletic field at Hollywood High School, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived to find ten persons stranded in the open air seats of a twin Ferris wheel that had suddenly become inoperative.

Immediately assuring the temporary amusement ride was stable and the riders informed and uninjured, firefighters conferred with technicians who had recently assembled and were operating the 85 foot high device.

Delicately using a Fire Department aerial ladder in a crane-like fashion, firefighters extracted riders one-at-a-time, gently lowering them with an accompanying LAFD rescuer to the top of an adjacent cargo trailer. The 100-foot capable ladder was then repositioned to repeat the operation.


The calm and orderly effort took more than two hours, and occurred without physical injury. The three adults and seven children declined medical treatment or transportation.

Temporary amusement rides in California are operated under the auspices of the State's Department of Industrial Relations.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Rescue Ten Stranded on Hollywood Ferris Wheel

On Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 1:08 AM, 8 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, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Ralph Ramirez, responded to a Structure Fire at 1014 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived in less than four minutes to find heavy smoke billowing from a 2,500 square-foot, one-story commercial building doing business as LA Dogworks, a self-described "retreat for dogs".

Firefighters rapidly deployed handlines through the dark, smoke filled building, navigating their way to a rear mezzanine where the bulk of flames were located.

The intense fire burned through the roof, but firefighters were able performed strategic vertical ventilation on the arched truss roof to release heat and gasses. These actions, combined with the building's elaborate HVAC system, provided clean air for canines to breathe.

The fire was extinguished in just 32 minutes.

All dogs were promptly accounted for and relocated by staff with assistance from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, which responded to the scene. Though no dog injuries were observed by or reported to firefighters, the facility owner later in the day told reporters that one dog had died.

No human injuries were reported.

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

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Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Save Scores of Dogs When Hollywood Kennel Erupts in Flames

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 12:38 AM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Chris Kawai responded to a High Rise Rescue at 6464 W. Sunset Bl. in Hollywood.

Firefighters promptly arrived to a 12 story high rise, to find four persons clinging to near vertical scaffolding eight stories above ground on the East side of the building.

One of the scaffolding cables malfunctioned, causing a side of the platform to quickly plunge, resulting in the workers sliding to the end of the scaffolding which was then being held by only one cable. Firefighters darted into action and broke out a window on the eighth story to begin a Rescue Operation to free the victims. LAFD’s elite Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialists headed the precise operation.

Meanwhile Paramedics and EMT’s readied themselves on the eighth floor to care for their anticipated patients. Thanks to the joint effort of all 71 firefighters the victims were successfully rescued in just 46 minutes from the time dispatched.

Two males, ages 40 & 46, were transported to local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries, while the other two victims required no medical treatment. All were thankful for the life saving response of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 4 Rescued from 12 Story High Rise in Hollywood