SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Two firefighters were injured battling a major emergency structure fire in a South Los Angeles business on Sunday, August 7, 2011.

As firefighters were responding to the 6:30 PM alarm, a large "loom up" of dark smoke could be seen from blocks away.

Firefighters arrived at 121 West Florence Avenue where they found a row of one-story commercial buildings under a common roof with heavy smoke showing. Shortly thereafter, flames erupted outside the structure and careful attention was given to protecting attached and nearby businesses from flame impingement. Firefighters were strategically placed around the large structure as others forced entry inside to do battle with the intense flames.


Multiple ladders were rapidly tilted against the structure from all angles allowing firefighters assigned to truck companies to reach the roof and begin vertical ventilation using chainsaws. Moderate amount of smoke began pouring out of the holes as the chainsaws sunk in and continued to cut. Firefighters inside searched through the dark to reach the seat of the fire. As the fire ripped through the attic, a portion of the roof collapsed on one side, preventing firefighters to continue to make entry from that area.

Firefighters raced the clock as they worked intensely to stop the spread of the flames and save the adjoining businesses along with their contents.

The fire appeared to have started in southwest side of the commercial building and ran up to the attic where it quickly traveled northeast. A total of four businesses, selling furniture, carpet, mattresses and cabinets were damaged. Shortly thereafter the smoke began to lighten as firefighters started to gain the upper hand, then worked on saving the contents of the business. Due to the aggressive work, an offensive attack was used and there was no need to pull firefighters out into a defensive mode.

The building created additional challenges to firefighters due to having an unusual double roof on the northeast side described as an arch truss with 1x6 straight sheeting below, and a corrugated metal roof approximately six feet above.

A total of 166 Los Angeles Firefighters were able to fully extinguish the flames in just 43 minutes by confining the blaze to the building of origin. An additional 40 personnel were summoned to assist in a complete overhaul of the burned premises during the nearly sixteen hour operation.

One firefighter received second degree burns to his hands and another firefighter was taken ill during overhaul operations. Both men were transported to local hospitals where they were treated and released to remain off-duty.

An initial estimate for fire loss was placed at $1,000,000 ($600,000 structure & $400,000 contents). The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E233 E33 T33 RA33 RA833 E57 E64 T64 E264 SQ21 EM2 BC13 BC1 E9 E221 T21 E46 E66 E14 E215 T15 E210 T10 DC2 EM9 BC18 T3 E203 E3 RA5 UR88 BC4 E21 T66 E266 RA3 UR3 RM2 EM6 RT40 E210 T10 E65 E26 T9 AR1 EA1 RA848 RA57 RA264 EM9 E85 UR85 RA85 T85 E285 E94 E295 T95 E29 T26 E226 E63 T94 E294 E5 T61 E261 T33 E233 E95

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Submitted by Erik Scott and Brian Humphrey, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Two Firefighters Injured in South Los Angeles Blaze

On Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 5:41 PM, 18 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 12 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Emergency Air, 1 Emergency Lighting, 1 Rehab Air Tender, 1 Bulldozer Team, and 1 Volunteer Service Utility under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 158 East 58th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find a large 1-story commercial building well involved in fire. Additional assistance was quickly requested as firefighters aggressively made their way inside the inferno, arming themselves with large 2 1/2" hose lines. The 4,880 square-foot building ventilated itself as 20' high flames roared through the roof. Within ten minutes the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters to get out of the 53 year-old structure and fight defensively due to the integrity of the building being compromised. Shortly thereafter the roof collapsed. Additional life threatening hazards endangered firefighters as transformers from power lines exploded, electrical wires sagged toward the ground, and the loading dock filled with water.

Just under 150 firefighters surrounded the building, pouring copious amounts of water into it while protecting nearby businesses. The devastating blaze was confined predominately within the business of origin. One adult male firefighter suffered possible heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was admitted for observation, but remained in good condition. Two civilians expressed minor medical complaints and were evaluated, however did not require transport to a hospital. The cause of the fire is under active investigation and the dollar loss of this furniture manufacturing business is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Massive Fire Destroys Building In South L.A.

On Monday, November 15, 2010 at 6:09 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson responded to a Structure Fire at 6310 Avalon Boulevard in South Los Angeles.
 
Firefighters arrived within four minutes to discover fire showing from the roof of a one story, 100’ x 300’ commercial building. Firefighters used rotary saws to force entry through rolling steel doors, allowing their colleagues to extended hand-lines inside. Vertical ventilation was performed on the conventional construction sawtooth roof to remove smoke and heat. The seat of the fire was difficult to locate due to decreased visibility and an abundance of wood-furniture, paint and additional contents. The bulk of the flames appeared to be in a spray-booth and quickly traveled to the roof. This 71 year-old building was equipped with fire sprinklers which assisted holding the flames in check and aided 80 firefighters to extinguish the fire in just 27 minutes. A division wall prevented the flames from spreading horizontally to adjacent units. Fire loss to the A & S Furniture Manufacturers was limited to $125,000 ($100,000 contents and $25,000 structure). One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in good condition. No civilians were injured. The cause of this fire is undetermined.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in Furniture Manufacturers Building In South L.A.

On Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 6:51 AM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 11 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 bull dozers, LAPD, So Cal gas company, dwp, DOT, building & safety, LA County Health Services, Cal Osha, along with other agencies, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daniel McCarthy responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY at 936 East 59th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a 100’ X 100’ one-story commercial building that sustained a massive explosion, which shook windows of nearby businesses. The front one-third of the building and roof collapsed in addition to being well involved in flames. One victim was thrown into the street from the explosion and pinned under a vehicle. Another victim was found in Cardiac Arrest after being electrocuted from power lines that were down. Emergency Traffic was declared over the radio by the Incident Commander to alert all on scene of the electrical hazard.

Firefighters jumped into action, and made a quick aggressive entry into the collapsing building. They endangered their lives to perform a rapid search of this large welding business, in hopes to rescue anyone possibly trapped. No one was immediately found, and due to the structure tumbling down around them, the Firefighters had to exit and battle the blaze defensively. Over 100 Firefighters were able to successfully knockdown the flames in just 25 minutes.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team, was then able to eliminate hazards and shore up beams, allowing a safer environment to perform a detailed and thorough search. K9 units were utilized to locate anyone possibly trapped under the rubble, however there were no hits and no additional victims were found.

Sadly one adult male deceased from electrocution. A second adult male suffered critical burns and was in the ICU at a California hospital awaiting a transfer to LA County USC hospital.

The cause of the explosion was due to illegal tampering with the gas meter. This enclosed structure was likely filling with natural gas, and when an ignition source sparked it, the powerful and deadly explosion occurred. Monetary loss from the explosion is estimated at $250,000 ($175,000 structure & $75,000 contents).


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Deadly Building Explosion in South LA

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 1:34 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Rudy Hill responded to a HAZ-MAT at 6515 S. Mckinley Ave in South Los Angeles.

The first company arrived quickly and subsequently encountered several small containers that had spilled, during a maintenance operation outside of a structure. Workers were apparently attempting to place an unknown substance from a smaller container into a larger one.

Further investigation revealed the unknown substance to be some sort of acid base product. Firefighters quickly went into action, evacuating approximately 12 individuals who were offered comfort and reassurance while being calmly sheltered in a safe location during the incident. LAFD hazardous materials experts were called in to identify the substance while all personnel stayed at a safe distance.

One fork lift operator was exposed to the substance and was medically evaluated by Firefighter/Paramedics and released at the scene. A total of 69 firefighters were on hand for this incident.

It was later determined that the substance was illegal and the LAPD Haz-Mat was called in for further investigation.The cause of the incident remains under investigation and the estimated damages is still being assessed.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 12 People Evacuated After Haz- Mat Spill

LAFD Station 33 circa 1972

On February 22, 1972 evil cascaded upon and surrounded LAFD Engine Company 33, in a night of sorrow that has not been paralleled in the history of the fabled Los Angeles firehouse.

In the days that would follow, Los Angeles Fireman Paul 'Randy' Widrig would be remembered as a man who "...knew and did more, always to the best of his ability, helping people in need."

Fire Department Chaplain James Dayen would later eulogize Randy's colleague, Fireman Theodore A. Currie as "a portrait of a fireman... in spirit, loyalty and dedication with the gift of inspiration."

The pair of hard-working civil servants however, didn't stand a chance as both arsonists and attackers - who remain at large - sealed their fate in one of the most troubling nights in Los Angeles Fire Department history.

Los Angeles Firefighters would feel the impact of the greater alarm blaze for decades to come, as they struggled to support Widrig's young widow and orphaned infant, as well as Currie's widow and three young sons.

                            Bystanders Harass Rescue While . . .

Arson Fire Kills Two City Firefighters

On the evening of February 22, 1972, two firefighters died in a greater alarm blaze in South Central Los Angeles. Firefighters Theodore Currie, 34, a ten year veteran and Paul Widrig, 24, with 18 months service, were killed when a mezzanine floor collapsed and buried them under four to five feet of debris. The coroner's office announced their deaths were due to suffocation.

The building, a large one story 150-by-75 foot warehouse was well involved with fire when the first of thirteen fire companies arrived shortly before midnight.

The victims were among four fire fighters from Fire Station 33 who entered the rear of the structure with a 2 1/2" inch hose line in an effort to cut the advance of the fire. The other two men, Capt. Sam Diannitto (former Vice-President of Local 112) and Fireman Otto McClung narrowly escaped without injury.

It took fire fighters over an hour of grueling work to recover the bodies of their comrades. Heat from the flames was so intense that it collapsed steel trusses in the building and buckled walls which further hampered rescue attempts.

ARSON AND HARASSMENT

Investigators said that the fire was deliberately set after the building had been burglarized. During rescue attempts, firefighters were attacked with rocks and bottles hurled by a militant group which gathered at the scene.

RITES HELD

In separate memorial services on February 25, 1972, Los Angeles City Firefighters honored their two fallen colleagues killed in the performance of their duties.

A morning service was conducted for Theodore Currie in Downey with approximately 500 mourners in attendance. Currie is survived by his widow Geraldine, and three sons. Steven 15; Craig 13, and Kent 11.

Afternoon services were held for Paul Widrig in Newhall. Widrig is survived by his 19 year old widow Deborah and an infant son. Also Widrig's father, Clyde, a retired policeman, and a brother, Clyde Jr., presently a Los Angeles Policeman.

                                                                         
To learn more about our Brothers Widrig and Currie, and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the City, we encourage you to visit the Los Angeles Fire Department Museuem and Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Between Arsonists and Attackers, Widrig & Currie Never Had a Chance

On Friday, September 18, 2009 at 3:01 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Antoine McKnight responded to a Structure Fire at 247 East 61st Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arriving at the scene were met with multiple fires at two locations, the first one was located at 228 East 60th Street and reported to be a garage fire fully involved. It was knocked down in just 24 minutes. A second fire began nearby at 3:01 am in a 100' x 100' commercial building on 61st Street.

The LAFD Operations Control Dispatch Center (OCD) promptly sent out an additional assignment to battle the quickly growing fire. The arriving companies were joined by those being released from the garage fire nearby, in an effort to assist with the heavy smoke and flame now extending from the commercial structure.

Firefighters coordinated their efforts, as several teams went to the roof to ventilate making it tenable for firefighters extending their lines inside. The complex fire was knocked down in just over one hour. Fortunately, there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. Dollar loss is being tabulated and the cause is being determined by Arson investigators on scene.

Submitted by Melissa Kelley
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Multiple Fires in South Los Angeles