On Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:15 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and a total of 92 Firefighters, all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca, responded to a Greater Alarm at 9797 North Glenoaks Boulevard in Sun Valley.

Even against the dark, night sky, a large plume of smoke could be seen enroute to the incident, indicating Firefighters were going to be engaged in a significant battle. First arriving companies confirmed a large outside fire at an auto salvage yard (DBA: Elite Auto). After making swift entry onto the property, Firefighters encountered additional concerns of not only downed power-lines, but also combustible metals, both of which present extreme hazards to personnel because of their volatility.

The command decision was quickly made to deploy large hose streams from both the ground and from aerial ladders in an effort to extinguish the stubborn blaze and to protect the adjacent occupancies from further damage. This large, outside fire burned so fiercely that two structures on the adjacent property (DBA: Elite Auto) sustained moderate damage.

Due to the strategic efforts of the command teams and an aggressive, sustained fire attack by nearly 100 Firefighters, the troops quickly gained the upper hand. The skillful firefight continued and the well-coordinated attack resulted in a knockdown in just over an hour.

The cause of the fire and its origin are under active investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated. There were no injuries.

Submitted by Matt Spence

Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Fire in Sun Valley Quickly Neutralized

On Friday, May 27, 2011 at 1:59 AM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 32 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Dennis Waters, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 10263 Kalua Drive in Sunland.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a 2,130 square-foot one-story single family home. As firefighters extended hoselines to extinguish with fire, they encountered three adults exiting the residence with serious burns following a senseless effort to battle flames with a garden hose from within the burning living room.


Firefighters promptly rendered care to the injured trio as their colleagues did quick battle with the fire, extinguishing flames in just 14 minutes.

The injured; a man and woman in their early 60's as well as a woman in her early 80's, each sustained painful first- and second-degree burns to their hands, arms and faces with possible respiratory injury from heat and smoke. All three were transported in fair condition to area hospitals by LAFD ambulance.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire loss to the 44 year-old non-fire sprinklered home is estimated at $100,000 ($75,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze remains under investigation.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Sunland Trio Burned Battling House Fire with Garden Hose

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:41 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 LAFD Foam Tenders, 1 LAFD Water Tender, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 74 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake, responded to a Traffic Collision with Large Fuel Spill on the northbound Golden State (I-5) Freeway near Glenoaks Boulevard in Sun Valley.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a semi-truck tanker with twin tank trailer, both laden with gasoline, parked on the right shoulder of the freeway. The trailer was observed leaking large amounts of the volatile motor fuel onto the roadway and across northbound lanes of travel.

According to witnesses, the tandem tanker truck was involved in a collision with another vehicle, causing damage to valves beneath the truck's fully-laden 4,800 gallon capacity trailer.

First arriving LAFD personnel staged their apparatus upwind and uphill from the parked gasoline transporter. With hundreds of gallons of flammable liquid already spilled, firefighters immediately curtailed traffic along the north- and south-bound lanes of the busy interstate highway to prevent ignition and diminish environmental harm.

As law enforcement agencies managed traffic along the miles-long closure that included many on- and off-ramps, transportation officials assisted firefighters who had labored intensely and successfully for nearly an hour, to dike the tide of gasoline before it could enter the storm drain system.

Patrons of a freeway adjacent motel behind a tall sound wall were sheltered in place, as teams of Los Angeles Firefighters stemmed the leaking trailer while applying an absorbent and firefighting foam to ease the cleanup and limit the potential for ignition.

No injuries were reported. There were no formal evacuations.

Following the Los Angeles Fire Department's successful mitigation of the primary hazard, control of the scene was returned to California Highway Patrol, State Department of Transportation and County Health Hazardous Materials officials.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fuel Spill From Tanker Collision Closes Golden State Freeway in Sun Valley

On Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 1:06 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 Helicopters, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Water Tender, and additional agencies including: LA County Fire Department, Angeles National Forest, Department of Transportation & Department of Water & Powera total of 60 LAFD Firefighters all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca responded to a Greater Alarm Brush Fire at 10718 Stallion Ranch Road in the Shadow Hills area of Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived to find one-half acre of brush burning up hill and quickly requested additional assistance. Ground crews rapidly began to make their way up steep terrain on both sides of the fire to surround and attack the flames. Three water dropping helicopters provided precise water drops, helping Firefighters on the ground in warm and breezy conditions. As the afternoon battle progressed the fire consumed an additional two acres.

This area nestled between Hansen Dam Recreation Center and Sunland Boulevard consists of moderate brush, hilly terrain, and is surrounded by large ranch style homes. Due to the decisive measures implemented, the afternoon blaze was swiftly confined to just under three acres.

A knockdown was declared in 53 minutes before any homes were damaged and without any one being injured. The cause of the fire was accidental reported to have been started by a welding operation at a perimeter fence.

Submitted by Cecil Manresa & Erik Scott, Spokesmen

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Confine Brush Fire Near Sun Valley to Just 3 Acres

On Friday, February 11, 2011 at 3:01 PM, 3 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, personnel from Department of Transportation and Animal Services, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Duca responded to a Train vs. Pedestrian at 9370 North San Fernando Road in Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived to find a 36 year-old male and horse, fatally struck by a Metrolink railcar. Witnesses state that the adult male was riding a horse on the train-tracks over a small bridge, just west of Sheldon Avenue, shortly before they were struck. Sadly and with certainty, firefighters determined that both were beyond medical help.

Metrolink AV Line, Train 216 came to a halt and additional firefighters rapidly assessed all passengers for injuries. Fortunately no one on-board was hurt. Metrolink then utilized buses to take passengers from Sun Valley to Burbank where they were able to board another train to their destination.

San Fernando Road between Truesdale Street and Branford Street was temporarily shut down.

Surrounding circumstances and events leading up the the incident are not fully known. A positive identification of deceased male, as well as the time, cause and exact manner of their death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man & Horse Fatally Injured by Train

On the evening of November 15th, 2010 Fire Engine 77 responded to a 9-1-1 call for a person trapped under a vehicle at the 8000 block of Norris Avenue in Sun Valley. Firefighters arrived on-scene and found a flatbed tow truck with a SUV that appeared to have fallen half way off. A victim's feet were sticking out from underneath the vehicle, the rest of his body was pinned, rendering him unable to breath.

Firefighters quick thinking and the use of a specialized tool led to a rapid rescue. A battery powered Holmatro Rescue Tool was carefully placed under the frame of the vehicle on the drivers side and lifted the SUV enough for firefighters to remove the pinned victim. All this, along with using cribbing to stabilize the vehicle was completed within just two minutes. Firefighters on scene stated, "We feel the victim would not have survived if we did not have this tool". The LAFD has hydraulic powered Holmatro tools placed strategically through out the city, predominately on Truck Companies. However thanks to the generosity of La Tuna Canyon Community Association, Karen Bristing, Deken Jones & Neighborhood Councils this $9,823.00 tool was purchased just 9 months earlier for Engine 77. The donation of this unique tool led to a rapid extrication which along with medical aid rendered from Firefighter/Paramedics greatly improved the patients condition. He reportedly even asked to make a phone call to his boss while in the back of an ambulance on the way to Holy Cross Hospital. We are happy to state the patient was admitted for observation and is labeled in serious but stable condition. The Los Angeles Fire Department stresses the importance of using extreme caution if you ever have to go under a vehicle.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Use Specialized Tool to Save Man's Life

On Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 1:37 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Foam Tenders, and 2 Bull dozers under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas responded to a fire at 11201 West Pendleton Street in Sun Valley.

The first arriving engine saw a large, black plume of smoke and immediately requested additional firefighters to be dispatched. Firefighters entered a Pick Your Part auto recycling center and made their way through the large 193,642 square-foot lot. They found a 75’ by 50’ debris pile of trash, wood, tires and used auto parts, stacked 20’ high, which was contained on three sides by a metal fence.

Firefighters quickly deployed hand-lines and made an aggressive attack on the blaze. The fire hydrant was a considerable distance from the source of fire therefore a water shuttle operation was started. This allows the firefighters at the end of the hose to continue to spray water and foam without interruption, while multiple fire engines fill up with water from the hydrant and shuttle it back.

Due to the quick action of 77 firefighters and because of the fortunate metal wall around the debris, the blaze did not spread. The fire was extinguished in one hour and 53 minutes. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

The fire was started when a skip-loader tractor, used to move rubbish into the 75’ by 50’ containment area, created a spark which ignited the trash. The dollar loss was zero.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Fire at Auto Recycling Yard

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 90 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Peter Benesch, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 11142 Fleetwood Street in Sun Valley.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke showing from a 100' x 355' multi-unit one story commercial structure.


View Larger Map (you can also click, grab and zoom the pre-fire image above)
Forcing entry through the off-street rolling steel doors of the unoccupied building, firefighters encountered intense flames that had taken hold of storage at an artistic pottery company.

Simultaneous vertical ventilation by firefighters atop the 35,500 square foot structure allowed their colleagues to rapidly advance hoselines, limit horizontal fire spread and extinguish the flames before they could damage the firm's office in the non-fire sprinklered building.

The flames were confined to the business of origin, and extinguished in just 31 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Fire loss to 'Funky Fish' is estimated at $125,000 ($25,000 structure & $100,000 contents). The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Sun Valley Fire Quickly Tackled by LAFD