On Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 3:54 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances,1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit,1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams,1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Rideout responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3308 Descanso Drive in Silver Lake.

Fire personnel arrived to find a multi level single family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the patio area to the rear of the structure. Due to a small street way, firefighters had the daunting task of hiking hoselines and equipment a 5th of a mile before reaching the incident. Firefighters mounted a swift exterior attack of the blaze which had destroyed much of the area of origin and extended into the attic of the home. Fire crews placed additional handlines in operation and forced entry to do battle within the residence, while roof teams cut holes to release the super heated gases.

The aggressive and well-coordinated efforts of 94 Los Angeles Firefighters confined the fire to the one structure while protecting the homes on all sides of the incident. Personnel brought the flames under control in less than 60 minutes, despite the extension throughout the 3,000 square foot home.

One firefighter suffered a second degree burn to a portion of his neck during the fight and was treated and transported to the hospital, and is expected to recover from his injuries. The fire was discovered by the homeowner who was reportedly outside the residence at the time.

No civilians were injured during the incident.

Fire loss to the non-occupied home is estimated at $2,000,000 ($1,500,000 structure & $500,000 contents) the cause is yet to be categorized.

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Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Outside Fire Finds Its Way Into a Home

On Friday, April 17, 2009 at 12:04 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 5 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Michael Bowman responded to a Structure Fire at 435 S. Occidental Bl in Mid-Town.

Fire Department resources arrived to a small one story church in the Mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles to find a small fire on east doors outside of the establishment. Fire crews made quick work in putting out the fire in less five minutes confining the flames to only the outside of the structure. There was no damage to the interior of the building and no injuries reported to civilians or Firefighters.

The House of Worship Task Force was called to the scene and concluded that the fire was deliberately set and will continuing the investigation. The estimated loss of this fire is at $10,000 structure only.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Damages Doors to Mid-Wilshire Church

On Saturday, April 11,2009 at 1308 PM, 1 Company of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance and 1 EMS Battalion Captain responded to a Fatal Injury at 505 South Vermont Avenue in Mid-Town Los Angeles.

Paramedics arrived quickly to find an 18 month old male with severe injuries to his body after being run over by a large Sport Utility Vehicle at a full service car wash.


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The small child was playing unattended when he was crushed by one of the tires of the vehicle. He was quickly treated on scene by firefighter/paramedics and was rushed to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, where he was Pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Circumstances surrounding the incident are being further investigated by the LAPD. Counseling was provided to all parties involved at the scene.

The tragic death of this young boy servers as a reminder of how important it is to keep a strict watch over our little ones especially any place where vehicles are present.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Toddler Killed at Los Angeles Car Wash