On Friday, April 1, 2011 at 4:52 AM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Gerry Malais responded to a Structure Fire With Civilian Injury at 14655 West Leadwell Street in Van Nuys.
 
Firefighters arrived to find smoke billowing out of a 1-story single family dwelling on a corner lot. They performed a strategic attack of the flames from the ground and the roof of this smoke charged structure. A quick, bold and decisive interior search was performed of the 1200 sqft residence, which was described as having pack-rat like conditions. The bulk of the fire was reported to be in the kitchen area. Firefighters made forcible entry through a steel security front door and located a 79 year-old female inside. The victim was found face up just five feet from the front door, without signs of life. Her dog lie next to her. Firefighter/Paramedics earnestly provided CPR and Advanced Life Support at the scene and during transportation to a local hospital. The victim suffered second and third degree burns to over 90% of her body. Despite the aggressive efforts of Firefighters she was later pronounced dead at the hospital. She was described by neighbors as a beloved member of the community.

 A total of 30 firefighters were able to fully extinguish the fire in just 17 minutes. In examining the fire's aftermath, there was evidence of one smoke alarm, however its functional status could not be confirmed. There were no window bars to impair the victim's escape, nor was the 62-year old house equipped with residential fire sprinklers. The cause of this early morning blaze is under active investigation by LAFD Arson Investigators. The monetary loss from a fire can not truly be weighed in the wake of the loss of life, however the dollar loss of this incident is estimated at $100,000.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - House Fire In Van Nuys Claims One Life

On Friday, February 5, 2010 at 3:16 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Rudy Hill responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injury at 4716 East Klamath Place in the South El Sereno area.

As firefighters were en route through pouring rain they received a message stating, "Person reported to be trapped inside." They arrived to find smoke billowing out of the rear of the one-story single family dwelling and were relieved to find all occupants standing out front of the house.

Firefighters aggressively used hand-lines to attack the blaze, conducted a search-and-rescue operation to ensure no one was left behind, and performed strategic vertical ventilation to release thick black smoke and heat.


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Meanwhile Paramedic Firefighters in front of the house treated two of the occupants. A four year-old male suffered smoke inhalation and a 65 year-old male suffered first degree burns, both were transported to L.A. County USC Medical Center in stable condition.

During firefighters search-and-rescue efforts, they also found one lifeless pet dog within the home. Without vital signs of life, the animal proved to be beyond their assistance and was declared deceased at the scene.

Thirty four firefighters extinguished the flames in the 920 square-foot structure in less than eighteen minutes. Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $130,000 ($85,000 structure & $45,000 contents). It is unknown if the 86 year-old home had smoke alarms and the fire's cause remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Spokesman Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Structure Fire Leaves 2 Injured & 1 Dog Deceased

On Monday, July 20, 2009 at 5:34 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 5 Arson Units, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Milage Peaks responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8936 S. Sepulveda BL in Playa Del Rey.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire coming from the second floor of a 2 story commercial building. Crews began an aggressive attack, deploying multiple hand lines on the ground while simultaneously providing vertical ventilation on the roof.

Even though some adjacent buildings were threatened, Firefighters were able to contain the fire to only one structure and saved a good portion of the building. It took 91 Firefighters 29 minutes to obtain a knockdown of the flames. There were no injuries reported to civilians or Firefighters.

The commercial building was doing business as a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. The total dollar loss was estimated at $500,000 ($300,000 structure & $200,000 contents).

Submitted by Devin Gales/in behalf of Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Flames Erupt in a Medical Dispensary

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6:40 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 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, and Deputy Chief Mario Rueda under the direction of Assistant Chief Terrance Manning responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 680 S Santa Fe Ave. in the Industrial Eastside of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a large, 100' X 150', single-story commercial building with heavy fire showing. Due to the intensity of the fire and compromised structural safety, a defensive, exterior fire attack was initiated. Firefighters laddered adjacent buildings, taking up defensive positions using large diameter hose lines, to protect the structures.

It took ninety-three Firefighters just 37 minutes to control the blaze. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Destroys Commercial Building East of Downtown Los Angeles

On Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:34 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 CERT Coordinator all under the direction of Assistant Chief Roxanne Bercik responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3305 S Central Ave in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a two-story apartment over a commercial building with heavy fire on the second floor. Confronted immediately with several people hanging from the second floor windows, Firefighters performed coordinated rescues using ladders as fellow Firefighters began an interior attack on the fire. Fortunately, all occupants were able to escape the fire without serious injury.

One civilian was treated and released on scene after suffering a minor second degree burn to the hand. The fire was contained in just 23 minutes and the damage was limited to several units on the second floor and the attic of the apartment building. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours, protecting homeowners belongings from additional damage. During the overhaul phase of the fire, two dogs and one cat were discovered deceased in the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the dollar loss has yet to be determined.

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Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Civilians Rescued From Burning Apartments