On Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at 8:29 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 Helicopter, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1800 N. Camino Palmero, in West Hollywood Hills.

Firefighters arrived to find a large three story single family dwelling with heavy smoke and fire showing from one room on the second floor. Fire crews quickly commenced the deployment of handlines, but met the difficult task of forcible entry into the structure. Interior fire attack teams worked diligently to find the source of the flames, while roof operation teams cut several holes attempting to locate the origin of the fire.

It took firefighters several minutes to find the main fire, with only thick heavy pressurized smoke visible. As crews continued to work exhaustibly, the fire had spread rapidly through the walls as well as into the attic of the large home.Due to the angle of the fire, water had to be supplied to the roof team to begin extinguishing the bulk of the flames.

Several firefighters working in and on top the structure were forced rotate their operations, for rest and rehabilitation, due to high rigorous demand. It took 103 firefighters just over two hours to knocked down the blaze.

One Fire Captain suffered a minor burn to one hand, along with two firefighters who suffered from heat exhaustion, all three were treated and released at the hospital and are expected to recover. The dollar loss is $3,000,000 ($1,500,000 for structure and $1,500,000 for contents). The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales,Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Engulfs Large 3 Story Home in Hollywood

Residents in the immediate path of a brush fire should follow the orders of uniformed public safety officials.

Location specific evacuation orders are usually provided door-to-door or via loudspeaker by Law Enforcement personnel.

Residents in high danger areas should remain vigilant for such direct, personal and focused contact. We always recommend that residents of high-risk locations be prepared to evacuate on short notice.

Those who may become endangered but are not in the immediate path of advancing flames, are encouraged to stay tuned to local media, especially news radio.

In the greater Los Angeles area, *live* radio interviews with fire officials is routinely broadcast on:

AM 1070 - KNX (listen now)

We encourage Los Angeles residents to find and "save" news radio stations on their battery-powered portable and vehicle radios.

In a Wildfire, Knowledge Is Power!

Tell A Friend!

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Listen To News Radio During Local Wildfires

On Saturday, August 29th, 2009 at 5:05 PM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a Major Structure Fire at 2016 Mateo Pl. in Industrial East Side.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a 50 by 80 foot, single-story commercial building with heavy smoke and fire billowing from the structure. An immediate and well synchronized offensive attack was made by firefighters inside the building and on the roof.

The blaze began to compromise the roof and the Incident Commander ordered all firefighters out of the building and a progression to a defensive strategy ensued. Using profuse amounts of water via large hose lines and aerial ladder pipes from the exterior of the building, firefighters were able to prevent the spread of the fire into adjacent businesses.

A knock down was declared in only 24 minutes with the help of 113 Firefighters. There were no injuries reported. The dollar loss is $375,000 ($125,000 for property and $250,000 for contents). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Major Commercial Fire turned into Defensive Attack

On Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 15236 Erwin St. in Van Nuys.

Firefighters swiftly arrived at a 150 by 75 foot commercial building made of cinder block showing heavy smoke. The building was occupied by Astro Chrome & Polishing and as firefighters approached, warning placards were noticed indicating the building’s contents could react adversely to large quantities of water. LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad was immediately requested and handlines were quickly deployed and judiciously used in unison with vertical ventilation.

The fire had originated from a lacquer spray booth and was primarily contained to office space. Injuries consisted of two patients treated for smoke inhalation and transported to local hospitals.

It took 84 firefighters only 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze. The fire’s cause was electrical and the dollar loss is $200,000 ($100,000 for property and $100,000for contents).

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Handles a Commercial Building Fire in Van Nuys