A crash, a flash - a decision to act...

Those who follow LAFD Breaking News via Twitter or the LAFD_ALERT e-mail list may have noted this incident on Sunday morning. Thanks to Susan Abram and her multimedia team at the Daily News, we now have the rest of the story:

Susan Abram, Staff Writer
Daily News

Although police typically find themselves scanning witness videos for bad guys, on Monday they put out an alert for a couple of heroes.

Officers hope to find the good Samaritans who were captured on amateur video as they rescued a 69-year-old man from a burning car after a collision Sunday in Sherman Oaks. The duo was joined by another man armed with a fire extinguisher and a fourth who used a crowbar to try and break the car's windows.




"It could have been much worse if it wasn't for them," said Officer Jose Garcia of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.

Police said the classic 1932 Ford was... (read more...)

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department join Los Angeles Police Officers in hailing these far-from-bystanders for their selfless response. If you have additional information about the collision, or can help us recognize these brave members of our community, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division by calling (818) 644-8000.

(photos) (photos)

UPDATE: We're pleased to learn that 4 of the 5 good Samaritans have been identified. Please join us in praising these brave men, as we read more from the Daily News... (read more...)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Raw Video: Good Samaritans Save Life in Sherman Oaks Crash

On Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 0:30 AM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffery S. Mottram responded to a Structure Fire at 6550 N Van Nuys Bl. in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived with swiftness to a 100' x150' foot commercial strip mall, fully involved with heavy smoke and fire showing. Personnel were immediately met with flames coming from every angle, as they initiated an assault. Fire attack teams quickly deployed hand lines in an effort to stop the spread of fire thru common walls and attics. Roof teams aggressively cut holes on the top of the structure to release super heated gases from below.

The fire began to grow fierce and a decision was by Chief Mottram to pull all teams out of the structure and commence a defensive attack. As the incident grew the building became more and more unstable. Additional hand lines were set in place to facilitate protection of the adjacent structures, as well as heavy hose lines at the front door to hit the bulk of the fire.

Although, the blaze ripped through the structure and consumed a majority the building’s contents, firefighters performing vertical ventilation as well as an aggressive ground attack, confined the fire to its surrounding origin.

It took 106 firefighters well over two hours to call for a complete knock down, there were no injuries reported. Fire loss to the non-occupied structure is estimated at $1,500,000 ($1,000,000 structure & $500,000 content). The cause of the blaze has not been categorized yet.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - A Fierce Blaze Devours Commercial Strip Mall

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 2:17 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Potter responded to a Structure Fire at 14153 West Erwin Street in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find a two-story garden style apartment with smoke showing from the rear of the ten unit structure. Neighbors were awakened  by sounds of breaking glass and smoke alarms shortly before the arrival of fire crews. Residents tried to enter the involved apartment,  but the smoke and heat was too intense. Firefighters made a rapid entry after reports of a person still inside.

Roof teams cut ventilation holes to release super heated gases, as fire attack teams performed fire suppression and rescue efforts. During the attack on the blaze, Firefighters discovered a 65 year-old elderly woman inside the home. The patient was immediately provided with advanced life support intervention and transported to Sherman Oaks Medical Center. The patient was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A positive identification of the deceased woman, as well as the cause, time, and manner of death, will be determined by the Coroner's Office.

The fire was confined to one unit and rapidly extinguished in just 16 minutes, with 36 Firefighters.  The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Woman Found Dead at Scene of Van Nuys Fire

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 15236 Erwin St. in Van Nuys.

Firefighters swiftly arrived at a 150 by 75 foot commercial building made of cinder block showing heavy smoke. The building was occupied by Astro Chrome & Polishing and as firefighters approached, warning placards were noticed indicating the building’s contents could react adversely to large quantities of water. LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad was immediately requested and handlines were quickly deployed and judiciously used in unison with vertical ventilation.

The fire had originated from a lacquer spray booth and was primarily contained to office space. Injuries consisted of two patients treated for smoke inhalation and transported to local hospitals.

It took 84 firefighters only 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze. The fire’s cause was electrical and the dollar loss is $200,000 ($100,000 for property and $100,000for contents).

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Handles a Commercial Building Fire in Van Nuys

On Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 11:39 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 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 73 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a Structure Fire at 6535 Cedros Avenue in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived quickly on the east side of the Van Nuys High School campus to find fire showing from a one-story bungalow housing 2 classrooms.



Forcing entry through the gates of the well-secured campus to carry ground ladders and hoselines more than 200 feet, Los Angeles Firefighters swiftly ascended the 40' x 100' structure to perform vertical ventilation, as their colleagues aggressively attacked the flames below.

The fire significantly damaged one classroom configured for theater arts, and extended to threaten another. The flames were confined to the structure of origin, and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $70,000 ($50,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze was determined to be a deliberate act.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Damages Van Nuys High School