On Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 6:51 AM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 11 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 bull dozers, LAPD, So Cal gas company, dwp, DOT, building & safety, LA County Health Services, Cal Osha, along with other agencies, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Daniel McCarthy responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY at 936 East 59th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a 100’ X 100’ one-story commercial building that sustained a massive explosion, which shook windows of nearby businesses. The front one-third of the building and roof collapsed in addition to being well involved in flames. One victim was thrown into the street from the explosion and pinned under a vehicle. Another victim was found in Cardiac Arrest after being electrocuted from power lines that were down. Emergency Traffic was declared over the radio by the Incident Commander to alert all on scene of the electrical hazard.

Firefighters jumped into action, and made a quick aggressive entry into the collapsing building. They endangered their lives to perform a rapid search of this large welding business, in hopes to rescue anyone possibly trapped. No one was immediately found, and due to the structure tumbling down around them, the Firefighters had to exit and battle the blaze defensively. Over 100 Firefighters were able to successfully knockdown the flames in just 25 minutes.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team, was then able to eliminate hazards and shore up beams, allowing a safer environment to perform a detailed and thorough search. K9 units were utilized to locate anyone possibly trapped under the rubble, however there were no hits and no additional victims were found.

Sadly one adult male deceased from electrocution. A second adult male suffered critical burns and was in the ICU at a California hospital awaiting a transfer to LA County USC hospital.

The cause of the explosion was due to illegal tampering with the gas meter. This enclosed structure was likely filling with natural gas, and when an ignition source sparked it, the powerful and deadly explosion occurred. Monetary loss from the explosion is estimated at $250,000 ($175,000 structure & $75,000 contents).


Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Deadly Building Explosion in South LA

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:58 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 2 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Dozer Team, 1 Utility Resource under the direction of Assistant Chief T. Manning responded to a TRENCH RESCUE at 602 N. Palisades Dr. in Pacific Palisades.

Firefighters responded to a three story below grade single family dwelling, where reports of a person buried under an unknown amount of dirt was trapped. As crews quickly assessed the scene, they discovered that an individual who later was described as a 24 year old male, had been working in an 8x8 11 ft trench. The worker who apparently was attempting to water proof the area, was the victim of an unexpected cave in, just prior to the 911 call.

All personnel worked diligently and swiftly to try and dig out the man, but the un-shored, large amounts of dirt and the depth hole proved to be extremely challenging. With an already heavy amount of resources and equipment on scene, a request was made to call in three LAFD USAR Teams in an effort to expedite the rescue operation. A crew had to breach a nearby retaining wall to try and gain access to the victim. Despite the prompt efforts of the Los Angeles Firefighters and Paramedics, the injured male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

It took 86 fire personnel and rescuers a little over five hours to completely recover the body of the worker. CAL –OSHA will continue an investigation as to what caused the incident, but the exact time and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.



Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Worker Dies After Being Trapped Under Dirt

Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned one helicopter and helitack team to assist U.S. Forest Service Personnel from the Angeles National Forest and allied agencies in their battle against a brush fire southwest of Acton, California, approximately 15 miles northeast of our City.

Click here for map of the Briggs Fire  and nearby Crown Fire

These 6 personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department have been dispatched to the Briggs Fire in accordance with California's Fire & Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System. Administered by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), the system is designed to ensure resources to local jurisdictions when their resources are committed or insufficient for a specific emergency incident.

The City of Los Angeles remains protected by the use of additional staff and reserve apparatus to cover foreseeable local needs.

The men and women of the LAFD ask motorists to remain watchful for these and other convoys of emergency apparatus, and to be mindful of the space necessary for them to safely maneuver on local roads and highways.

Pursuant of protocol, official public and media information regarding this wildfire, including the actions of assigned LAFD personnel, will be provided by U.S. Forest Service Personnel from the Angeles National Forest, which maintains daily jurisdictional authority of the area where the fire is burning.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Responds to 'Briggs Fire' near Acton

Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned two Strike Teams of firefighters to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department and allied agencies in their battle against a brush fire southeast of Leona Valley, California, approximately 20 miles northeast of our City.


View View Larger Map of the Crown Fire (You can also pan, click & zoom the map above!)
These 44 personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department have been dispatched to the Crown Fire in accordance with California's Fire & Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System. Administered by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), the system is designed to ensure resources to local jurisdictions when their resources are committed or insufficient for a specific emergency incident.

The City of Los Angeles remains protected by the use of additional staff and reserve apparatus to cover foreseeable local needs.

The men and women of the LAFD ask motorists to remain watchful for these and other convoys of emergency apparatus, and to be mindful of the space necessary for them to safely maneuver on local roads and highways.

Pursuant of protocol, official public and media information regarding this wildfire, including the actions of assigned LAFD personnel, will be provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which maintains daily jurisdictional authority of the area where the fire is burning.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Responds to 'Crown Fire' near Leona Valley