On Monday, June 6, 2011 at 10:04 AM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 63 Firefighters all under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffery S. Mottram, responded to a LEAKING NATURAL GAS incident at 6800 North Coldwater Canyon Avenue in North Hollywood.


First arriving resources quickly confirmed that an approximte three-inch gas line had been broken during a street re-paving project at the intersection of North Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Vanowen Street. Additional resources were immediately ordered to assist with the precautionary evacuation of local businesses. Upon further evaluation, it was determined that the gas flow posed no immediate threat to residents in the area. The leak was located, capped and every precaution was taken to ensure citizen safety.

Following the investigation of the surrounding area, it was determined the best course of action would be to advise all in the vicinity to seek shelter indoors. Officials at two local schools, Coldwater Canyon Elementary and James Madison Middle School, were aided by Firefighters in clearing the playgrounds and getting all students into class rooms until the gas had dissipated. By noon, both schools were back to normal operations.

This incident was under Unified Command between the LAFD and LAPD until the hazard had been mitigated at approximately 3:00pm, before anyone was injured. At that point, most Fire resources were made available for other emergency responses and the incident was turned over to the Gas Company.

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Avert Natural Gas Disaster in North Hollywood

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department welcome you to join them this Saturday in a local celebration of St. Baldrick's, where our sudden baldness brings hope to children with cancer.

As a supporter of Firefighters and Police Officers, there is no requirement for you to shave, merely a need for you to cheer participants at one of these fun and inspirational fundraising events.

Saturday March 12, 2011 from 8:00AM to 2:00PM 

At two locations:

Fire Station 89
7063 Laurel Canyon Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Fire Station 112
444 South Harbor Boulevard, Berth 86
San Pedro, CA 90731

Enjoy a free IHOP pancake and sausage breakfast while being entertained by magicians and face painters. LAFD and LAPD will have equipment and apparatus on display for tours and photo opportunities for the children, so bring the whole family!

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." -Sir Winston Churchill


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Makes a BALD Statement

On Monday, January 17, 2011 at 9:37 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Department of Water & Power, and Department of Transportation, under the direction of Battalion Chief Timothy Ernst responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 12500 West Raymer Street in North Hollywood.

Thanks to Battalion 12 Chief Officer Command Team's keen awareness while driving through the North Hollywood area, they observed smoke poring out of a 135' X 50' commercial building. Quickly notifying Operations Control Division (LAFD's 9-1-1 dispatch center), additional firefighters immediately responded.

Routine firefighting operations such as Forcible Entry and Fire Attack rapidly commenced. The bulk of the flames were toward the front of the 6,600 square-foot building doing business as Star Marble & Tile. As Truck Companies ordered "all ladders off the truck", firefighters were able to climb their way to the conventional, gable truss roof and perform vertical ventilation. A small diameter hose line was also utilized atop the roof to extinguish flames.

Shortly thereafter, firefighters inside made their way through dark, smoky conditions and located the seat of the fire which was an automobile fully involved in flames. Although almost 100 firefighters responded, the first arriving 51 were able to fully extinguish the blaze in just 16 minutes, before anyone was injured. Dollar loss from the fire has been estimated at $65,000 ($40,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The suspected cause of this late evening blaze is categorized as "arcing".

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Commercial Building Fire In North Hollywood

On Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 10:14 AM, 9 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 69 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Jose S-Cronenbold, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 12011 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover light smoke showing from one mid-block 2 story building in a row of commercial businesses.

While firefighters attacked stubborn flames on the first floor, their colleagues swiftly rescued a pair of trapped second floor occupants at the rear of the building via ladder, as additional firefighters guided a third person from the structure.

The fire was skilfully confined within one office containing dense storage of combustible items, and extinguished in just 25 minutes.

Following their initial medical assessment at the scene, the rescued trio -- a woman and two men, declined treatment or transportation. No other injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of this mid-morning blaze was categorized as accidental.

(photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Firefighters Rescue Trio From North Hollywood Blaze

On Monday, June 1, 2009 at 10:43 PM, 23 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Dozer, 2 Tractors, 2 Loaders, Heavy Equipment Unit under the direction of Assistant Chief Mark Stormes responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 6914 N. Beck Ave. in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof from an unoccupied, 50x100 foot, 1 story carpet and hardwood manufacturing commercial building. Swiftly extending handlines, firefighters did fierce battle with the blaze. Due to the structural collapse of the roof and the building's walls, fire crews were forced to go into a defensive mode. They began attacking the fire with heavy streams of water from the roofs of adjacent structures as well as from the street.

Firefighters worked diligently to prevent the spread of fire to any of the surrounding structures in this commercial area of North Hollywood. The fire was contained to only the one building. Early on in the firefight, one Fire Captain was treated and transported for fatigue and remains hospitalized under observation. There were no other injuries reported. Companies continued firefighting efforts throughout the early morning hours,with over 170 fire personnel continuing the attack. Water appliances were used on the ground, as well as several ladder pipe operations.

Thanks to the exhausting efforts of all fire teams the blaze was finally knocked down after a seven hour stand. Extensive overhauling of the site was initiated, with several companies remaining on scene to watch for hot spots. The cause of this fire has still yet to be determined and the monitory loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Blaze Erupts In Commercial Building In North Hollywood

On Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 1:30 PM, 22 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 166 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 6818 Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from the rear of a 6,675 square-foot one story industrial building. Forcing entry through rolling steel doors, firefighters extended handlines to do fierce battle with well-entrenched flames in a shoe warehouse densely pack with combustible goods, including footwear and packaging.

Swift and well coordinated action by firefighters brought full extinguishment of the flames in just 51 minutes. The fire caused significant damage to the building inventory, but remained within the confines of the nearly six decade old non-fire sprinklered structure.

The business owner suffered minor smoke exposure while escaping the flames, and a Los Angeles Firefighter sustained an eye injury while making forcible entry. Both men were taken by LAFD Ambulance to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where they were treated and released.

LAFD Heavy Equipment Company personnel from the Special Operations Division responded to assist with the removal and overhaul of smoldering debris, an endeavor that kept firefighters on scene for more than twelve hours.

Loss to "Hollywood Heels" a wholesaler of fashion footwear, is still being tabulated.

The cause of the blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to a lit candle.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Candle Sparks Blaze in NoHo Shoe Warehouse