On Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 0:24 AM, 6 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 39 Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Mark Akahoshi responded to a Structure Fire at 8115 South Mariposa Avenue in South Los Angeles.





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Firefighters arrived to find a 1,738 square-foot one-story Single Family Dwelling with heavy fire showing. Firefighters commenced an aggressive interior attack with hose-lines on the well entrenched flames, as additional colleagues cut strategic 'heat-holes' on the clay tiled roof allowing heat, smoke and gases to escape.

Due to the well-coordinated work of all on scene, the fire was fully extinguished in just 22 minutes before spreading to nearby structures or injuring any civilians. The flames were quickly confined to the living room and attic of the 77 year-old residence.

However, a Firefighter assigned to the Roof Division Truck Company was seriously injured after falling off the roof at the start of Overhaul operations, ensuring the fire was completely out. Attempting to get off the roof onto a ladder when the base of it became unstable causing the Firefighter to fall to the ground. He fractured multiple ribs and sustained a contusion to his lung, but was released from a local hospital on May 22, 2011.

The cause of this early morning blaze was incense burning unattended. The dollar loss is tabulated at $50,000 ($35,000 structure & $15,000 contents).

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighter Injured at Structure Fire in South LA

On Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 3:04 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Combs responded to a Structure Fire at 804 West 85th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a one story apartment complex with heavy smoke coming from one unit. As crews began to mount an attack they discovered one area of the living room well involved with fire. A mother and father as well seven children had just escaped from the structure prior the flames growing in intensity.

Fire personnel placed handlines in operation and made entry to battle within the residence, while roof teams cut holes above, releasing the super heated gases.

Even though the fire caused a significant amount of damage to the residence, firefighters were able to confined the flames to just the area of origin. It took 45 firefighters only 21 minutes to call for a knockdown.

The family of nine were all treated and transported to area hospitals for minor injuries, with the exception of the father who suffered critical burns. Thankfully all escaped the early morning blaze with their lives and are all expected to recover.

The American Red Cross was called into action as this family will be displaced after leaving the hospital.

There were no visible smoke alarms within the building at the time of the incident. The estimated dollar loss is $100,000 ( $50,000 structure and $50,000 contents). The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in nature and is categorized as accidental.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Family of Nine Escapes Early Morning Fire

On Monday, December 28, 2009 at 4:47 AM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 33 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Antoine McKnight, responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1112 West 76th Street in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to discover light smoke showing from a one-story 1,309 square-foot single family home.

Firefighters forced entry through the home's security doors and subsequently a locked bedroom to aggressively attack flames. The fire was confined to the bedroom area and extinguished in less than 12 minutes.

During their search of the fire room, firefighters discovered the body of a 49 year-old woman on the floor. Beyond medical help, she was declared deceased at the scene.

A positive identification of the dead woman as well as the precise cause, time and manner of her death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

No other injuries were reported.

There were no window security bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede the woman's egress. The 87-year old home was not equipped with legally required smoke alarms, nor a carbon monoxide detector or residential fire sprinklers.

Monetary loss to the wood frame and stucco residence was limited to $15,000 ($10,000 structure & $5,000 contents).

Though the official cause of this pre-dawn fire remains the focus of an active Fire Department investigation, LAFD Investigators surmise that an improper heating device - possibly using charcoal briquettes, may have not only sparked the blaze, but also introduced deadly carbon monoxide fumes within the residence.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Improper Home Heating an Issue in South Los Angeles Death

On Monday, June 8, 2009 at 6:51 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson 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 77 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Franco, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1520 West Florence Avenue in South Los Angeles.


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Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke from a fast-moving rubbish fire in the alley of a one-story commercial building. The flames had extended within the structure, threatening a two-story apartment building to the east and a storefront church to the west.

LAFD personnel aggressively attacked the flames, using handlines to confine the fire before it spread to the adjacent buildings. The well-coordinated offense limited the blaze within the mattress store and alley of initial involvement.

The flames were extinguished in just 31 minutes.

After sustaining a severe nail puncture to his hand during the fire assault, one firefighter was taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where he was treated and released to remain off duty.

The same hospital later saw a teenage female from the neighborhood brought to their facility by LAFD Ambulance in fair condition, after complaining of exposure to smoke from the fire.

No other injuries were reported.

Loss to 'Dream & Rest Mattress Company' is still being tabulated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(photos)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - South L.A. Mattress Store Fire Sends 2 To Hospital