structurefire photos on Flickr

Major Emergency Fire in Downtown LA by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At midnight on June 10, 2020 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 1900 block of S Staunton Av in Downtown Los Angeles. It developed into a Major Emergency structure fire in the defensive mode. 70 minutes after receiving the call, the 59 LAFD personnel assigned fully extinguished flames in the approx 100' x 250' 1 story concrete tilt-up building (unknown tenancy) No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under active investigation

LAFD Incident: 061020-0001

Major Emergency Structure Fire in Woodland Hills by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 9:10PM on July 3, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 6000 block of N De Soto Av for a reported structure fire.

The first arriving fire company found a large, one story commercial (vacant) building with heavy fire showing through the roof.

Firefighters immediately initiated a defensive operation and quickly determined the entire building was fully involved in fire.

With multiple ladder pipes flowing and large diameter hand lines deployed around the structure, firefighters battled for over an hour to quell the blaze. Their efforts ensure the neighboring buildings were not damaged. There were no injuries reported and there is an on-going cause investigation.

LAFD Incident 070322-1566

Van Nuys Structure Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 8:29AM on December 1, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 15300 block of W Archwood St in Van Nuys. 28 firefighters extinguished the fire in 19 minutes. This was determined to be an outside fire that extended into the vacant structure. Firefighters quickly addressed the exposed building and limited the fire to the eves.

LAFD Incident: 120121-0367

LAFD- Man Found Dead at Boyle Heights Building Fire _ April 11, 2020 by Los Angeles Fire Department

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BOYLE HEIGHTS - A person was found dead within an abandoned building in the 2500 block of East Whittier Boulevard, following a fierce firefight early April 11, 2020. Los Angeles Fire Department Public Information Officer Captain Branden Silverman provides details.

LAFD Incident 041120-0244

Video Use Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: LAFD Video

North Hills Commercial Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 1:29PM on August 5, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 9400 block of N Sepulveda Bl in North Hills. Firefighters arrived to find a one story, metal clad commercial building with smoke showing. This was the site of a previous burn and ventilation holes were already in the roof, therefore crews initiated a defensive operation. 38 firefighters extinguished the fire in 27 minutes with no injuries reported.

LAFD Incident: 080521-0912

Quick Knockdown on Small Commercial Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 10:09PM on March 28, 2020 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 100 block of E 84th Place to find a small, one story commercial building with fire showing. Firefighters achieved a quick knockdown, preventing the fire from extending. There were no injuries reported

LAFD Incident: 032820-1440

Greater Alarm Commercial Fire in Eagle Rock by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 3:39PM on January 7, 2018 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 4537 N Eagle Rock Blvd to find a 75' x 250' vacant commercial building with heavy smoke showing. The property, surrounded by security fencing, required forcible entry to gain full access to the structure.

While truck companies made their way to the roof, interior fire attack encountered heavy smoke and heat upon entry. Minutes later, a partial roof collpase required the transition to a defensive operation. All crews exited safely and 2 1/2 handlines were put into place at exterior doors. The firefighters were able to gain an upperhand on the bulk of the fire and when all safety factors were considered, offensive operations resumed to reach the stubborn pockets of fire.

The structure, built in 1968, had a large, attached building (also vacant) which was defended from any fire damage. 98 firefighters, under the expert command of Assistant Chief Tim Ernst, fully extinguished the fire in just over one hour. Out of abundance of caution, residents from an exposed, large apartment building were evacuated but all were re-housed once knockdown was achieved with no remaining hazards.

LAFD 010718-1009

Firefighters Evacuate Businesses and Residences While Fighting Downtown Blaze by Los Angeles Fire Department

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DOWNTOWN - Los Angeles City Firefighters battled a Downtown structure fire, which began as a large outside rubbish fire which spread to several businesses in a row of commercial buildings, that had occupied residential units across the second floor.

Firefighters responded to the Flower District of Downtown Los Angeles at 3:12 PM on June 22, 2023, to find heavy fire involving outside storage in the rear behind a long 2-story building, with residential units over a row of commercials, with heavy fire showing. The Incident Commander called for waves of additional firefighters, and placed companies in all involved units on the first floor, second floor, roof, and outside to the rear.

The fire appeared to have originated as an exterior fire to the rear, with flames rapidly spreading inside the first floor commercial space, and threatening to burn more units horizontally. Firefighters assisted with evacuations, and performed a rapid and systematic search of all units, and halted the horizontal spread. Fortunately, no victims were trapped.

Ultimately, it took 148 firefighters one hour and thirty-five minutes to extinguish the blaze. The fire unit of origin was a venue rental business, who loaned out supplies for

weddings, and social events, therefore there was a heavy fuel load inside that fueled the fire.

As always, we mourn the loss of the approximately four commercial units downstairs and four residential units directly above suffered damaged, but remain thankful that this incident did not end up being significantly worse. Red Cross responded to assist approximately 30 residents who were displaced. Thankfully, only one person (a 28-year-old female) was transported to the hospital in fair condition, and a second (a 50-year-old male) was evaluated and declined transport (both had symptoms of smoke inhalation). Arson investigators responded to determine fire origin, per protocol.

LAFD Photo by Gary Apodaca

LAFD Incident 062223-1024

House Saved from Big Rig Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 10:19PM the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 8100 block of N St Clair, North Hollywood, to find a big rig parked in the driveway full involved in fire. While the flames were impinging the house, firefighters worked quickly to prevent it from causing total destruction.

LAFD Inc1544-053017

LAFD Incident: 053017-0129

Flames Destroy Hollywood Home by Los Angeles Fire Department

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HOLLYWOOD - The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to the 1400 block of North Martel Avenue at 4:42 PM on November 3, 2022 for a structure fire involving a one-story single family home. Firefighters navigated around downed wires on approach, where flames consumed the home. It took 42 firefighters 43 minutes to access, confine, and extinguish the flames, without injury. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

LAFD Incident 110322-1304

huntington-beach-warehouse-fire-107 by Brian Knott

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3 alarm warehouse fire, Huntington Beach, Ca.

Press L to view large on black.

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Midnight Blaze in South Los Angeles by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 10:55PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 1700 block of E 57th Street for a reported structure fire. The first arriving companies found a large (approximately 300’ x 500’) pallet yard with heavy fire showing. Additional resources were quickly requested as crews moved into the defensive mode.

Firefighters went to work on all four sides of this incident, conducting fire attack against several outbuildings in the compound of the yard while simultaneously establishing master streams to drown out the pallet fire. Downed, high voltage power lines created an additional safety hazard for crews to work around.

116 LAFD firefighters, assisted by several companies from Los Angeles County Fire Department, working under the command of Assistant Chief Antoine McKnight, declared a knockdown of the fire in one hour and four minutes, with no injuries reported. No residential homes outside of the compound were damaged.

This was a Major Emergency status structure fire and thus, per protocol, LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) responded and are actively investigating the cause of the fire.

LAFD Incident: 050520-1481

Sherman Oaks Home Destroyed in Early Morning Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:39AM on February 28, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 13300 block of W Chandler Blvd in Sherman Oaks. Firefighters arrived to find a large (approximately 10,000sq ft), two story, single family dwelling with fire showing through the roof. Over 80 firefighters made an aggressive, offensive attack but the well-developed fire on the 2nd floor caused a partial roof collapse and extended down into the floor joists, causing the floor to burn through. Full extinguishment was achieved in one hour and 12 minutes with no injuries reported. The home appeared to be either newly constructed or under-going renovations and was not occupied. LAFD Arson Section responded and is actively investigating the cause.

LAFD Incident 022822-0286

Heavy Fire Damages North Hollywood Home by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 11:33AM, Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 6600 block of N Ampere Av in North Hollywood. With heavy fire and smoke showing upon arrival, 45 firefighters gained knockdown and defended an exposed building in 25 mins. No injuries reported and two pet dogs located safely.

LAFD Incident: 080117-0532

Building Saved in Koreatown by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:24AM on October 20, 2018 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 700 block of S Normandie Av in Koreatown. Firefighters arrived to a four story, center-hall apartment building with people exiting through the front doors. Although no fire or smoke was visible, crews immediately deployed into fire attack and roof ventilation operations and located fire in the basement. Further investigation located pockets of fire in walls on the first and second floors.

Firefighters strategically opened sections of walls to extinguish fire while determining the extent of the fire's spread. The size of the building (54,152 square feet) and potential for a working attic fire led the Incident Commander Assistant Chief Kwame Cooper to request additional units and raise this to a Major Emergency status.

The efficient and precise efforts of the firefighters successfully prevented a dangerous attic fire and limited damage to the building. The structure, built in 1926, contained 76 units and occupants were evacuated with only one resident requesting medical evaluation by LAFD paramedics but did not require ambulance transport.

106 firefighters achieved knockdown in one hour and 30 minutes. While the cause of the fire is under active investigation by LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) (based on protocol for a Major Emergency structure fire) it appears the fire originated in a first floor utility room and traveled to the basement via a light well and then through the walls to the attic.

Photo Use Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: LAFD Photo - Erik Scott

LAFD Incident: 102018-0259

LAFD Limits Westlake Inferno to Two Abandoned Buildings by Los Angeles Fire Department

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WESTLAKE - More than 160 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a major emergency fire involving several structures in the 600 block of South Bonnie Brae Street early April 27, 2017. Though two long abandoned buildings were destroyed, LAFD crews prevented serious damage or injury at both an adjacent convalescent hospital and law library. © Photo by Mike Meadows

LAFD Incident: 042717-0067

Sun Valley Major Emergency Structure Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 11:30PM on November 7, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 8100 block of N Sunland Bl in Sun Valley. Firefighters arrived to a two story, commercial building (site of previous burn) with heavy fire showing. In a mostly defensive operation, 87 firefighters battled flames with at least four ladder pipes and several other heavy streams in operation on the commercial building for over two hours before safely achieving a knockdown.

LAFD Incident 120721-1589

Punctual LAFD Response Limits Damage To Valley Village Home by Los Angeles Fire Department

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VALLEY VILLAGE - A Los Angeles Fire Department paramedic team completing a nearby medical emergency was the first to note, report and arrive at the scene of a burning two-story home at 11911 Hartsook Street, shortly before noon on May 19, 2023.

The pair was soon joined by 42 additional LAFD responders, who together skillfully battled flames in the 2,217 square foot home for a half-hour before bringing the non-injury blaze under control.

LAFD Incident 051923-0713

Sylmar Attic Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 2:05PM the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 13500 block of W Hubbard St in #Sylmar. 87 firefighters handled the well involved attic fire in 26 minutes with no injuries.

LAFD Incident: 011019-0908

Reseda Fire Sends Two to Hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 11:07PM on March 7, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 19200 block of W Saticoy for a reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a two-story garden-style apartment with fire showing. Crews quickly deployed hose lines and contained the fire to its unit of origin. It took 26 firefighters just 13 minutes to extinguish the flames. Firefighter-paramedics evaluated and treated four patients, and transported at two of them to the hospital .Thankfully, everyone escaped the building, as audible alarms could be heard from functional smoke detectors warning occupants of the danger.

LAFD Incident: 030622-0163

Studio City Blazes Destroys Home by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 3:40AM on March 13, 2020 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 3700 block of N Eureka Drive. Firefighters found a large, one story home well involved in fire exposing two additional residences. After a battle spanning one hour and 18 minutes, the 52 firefighters on scene fully extinguished the fire. The two adjacent homes were defending from the fire extending, limiting it to some minor exterior damage to one home. Two firefighters were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Due to the size of the building, LAFD Arson section responded to investigate the cause.

LAFD Incident 031320-0185

Major Emergency Commercial Fire Downtown by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 6:32PM, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to 815 S Central Av to find a 6,000 square-foot one story, L-shaped commercial building with heavy fire showing through the roof.

Conditions quickly dictated a transition to defensive firefighting operations and firefighters rapidly employed ladder pipes, portable monitors and 2 ½ inch hand lines, attacking the fire from all angles.

The open building housed multiple vendors and contained large, bulky storage which created a heavy fire load, driving the intense flames. A large quantity of chili peppers burning in the structure added an irritant to the smoke; yet another factor for the crews to face. While the bulk of the fire was contained in just over an hour, the fire extended into the attic, camping out in locations difficult to reach with the exterior water application.

Over 190 firefighters, led by Deputy Chief Daren Palacios, waged battle for nearly two hours before gaining the upper hand. Firefighters contained the flames to the unit of origin and protected adjacent businesses from harm.

Once the bulk of the fire was extinguished, demobilization began and some units were released. Firefighters remained on the incident throughout the evening to continue addressing hot spots and ensure the safety of the community.

LAFD Incident 031217-1087

101 W Marine View Dr by Todd Schlemmer

90? firefighters, a dozen + agencies converge on a roaring structure fire inside a recycling facility. Defensive ops, no casualties, good stop on adjacent occupancies.

Quick Knockdown on Small Commercial Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 10:09PM on March 28, 2020 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 100 block of E 84th Place to find a small, one story commercial building with fire showing. Firefighters achieved a quick knockdown, preventing the fire from extending. There were no injuries reported

LAFD Incident: 032820-1440

Over 30 Businesses Saved in Van Nuys by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 2:44PM on October 12, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 7056 N Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys. The first fire company arrived to find a one story, vacant commercial building (7,600 square feet built in 1957) well involved in fire.

After initially deploying an offensive fire attack, the incident commander quickly transitioned to a defensive operation due to the extent of fire involvement. As crews established hand lines, a collapse zone of 30’ was implemented at the front of the building due to concern about the stability of the façade. Approximately 20 minutes into the incident, an ‘Emergency Traffic’ radio alert was issued informing all on the fire ground of the full collapse of the façade. All firefighters were safely outside the collapse zone and continued their operation without delay.

The building to the North (on the Bravo side) abutted the fire building while there was a small separation with the building to the South (on the Delta side). Despite the close proximity of the two exposures and the heavy fire present, firefighters battled and succeeded in defending the structures from fire damage – saving over thirty businesses.

It was a long, extended operation due to the amount of fire and challenges in safely access all areas of the building. The RS3, Robotic Fire Fighting Vehicle was deployed to apply high volumes of water (master streams) more deeply into the building than was safely possible by firefighters. The combination of hand lines, ladder-pipes, RS3 and the team of over 85 firefighters, working under the command of Assistant Chief Corey Rose, fully extinguished the fire in over four hours.

One firefighter was transported to the hospital in fair condition with heat exhaustion. There were no other injuries reported.

Per protocol, LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) responded and is actively investigating the cause of the fire.

LAFD Incident 101222-1068

Fire Sprinklers Help Save Valley Glen Bakery by Los Angeles Fire Department

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VALLEY GLEN - It took three dozen Los Angeles Fire Department responders just 27 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish a non-injury fire held in check by fire sprinklers within a one story bakery at 12630 Raymer Street, late March 10, 2023.

LAFD Incident 031023-1736

Third Street Fire in Downtown Los Angeles by Los Angeles Fire Department

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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 1:50 AM on June 8, 2021 to the 200 block of East 3rd Street in Downtown Los Angeles, where firefighters arrived quickly to find a century-old commercial building engulfed in flames.

One hundred-fifty firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Ernst confined the fire to a 200' x 50' three-story commercial building, saving nearby multi-story residential structures. Firefighters battled for over three hours to knock down the bulk of the flames. The structural integrity of the building was too compromised for firefighters to enter and finish extinguishment. Heavy machinery was brought in to move debris and uncover the many remaining hot spots. Firefighters stayed for most of the day to monitor the smoldering debris and continue to apply water when possible.

There were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross assisted unhoused persons whose tents were destroyed by fire, while Inspectors from the City's Department of Building & Safety examined the fire building to determine its structural integrity and potential for repair. Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated.

LAFD Fire Investigators have concluded their investigation and the cause will remain "undetermined." Evidence confirmed that the fire began inside the structure and is not related to the individuals in tents outside the structure. Due to the compromised structural integrity of the fire unit and partial building collapse in the probable area of ignition, investigators were unable to determine anything further.

LAFD Incident: 060821-0089

East Hollywood Fire Destroys Building by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 8:33AM on October 27, 2019 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 4760 W Melrose Ave in East Hollywood. Firefighters arrived to find a two story, vacant center hall apartment building with heavy fire showing.

Interior fire attack immediately made entry while the truck company went to the roof to provide vertical ventilation. Heavy fire was encountered both on the first and second floors. As firefighters successfully extinguished the bulk of the fire on the first floor, the structural integrity of the building started to falter. With visible signs of pending collapse, Incident Commander Asssitant Chief Kristina Kepner made the call to transition to a defensive operation.

All firefighters safely exited the structure and left the roof to establish ladder pipe operations and hand lines for an exterior fire attack. 81 firefighters achieved a knockdown of the fire in 1 hour and 22 minutes with no injuries reported. A human remains detection K9 team responded to the incident to conduct a thorough search to ensure no victims were hidden under the debris. The cause of the fire is under active investigation by the LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section.

LAFD Incident: 102719-0465

Sylmar Attic Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 2:05PM the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 13500 block of W Hubbard St in #Sylmar. 87 firefighters handled the well involved attic fire in 26 minutes with no injuries.

LAFD Incident: 011019-0908

Los Angeles Apartment Fire Results in Partial Collapse by Los Angeles Fire Department

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HISTORIC SOUTH CENTRAL – A well-established basement fire spread throughout an apartment building in South Los Angeles and burned for many hours, causing collapse and displacing residents.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded with over 100 firefighters to a structure fire that was reported at 3:03 A.M. on May 16, 2020, in the 4000 block of South Main Street in the Historic South-Central neighborhood of Los Angeles. Firefighters found a 24-unit two-story center-hallway apartment building with fire showing. The blaze appeared to have started in a densely-packed basement used for storage, which spread to the rest of the building.

Occupant safety was the immediate concern in the early morning hours, at a time when many residents are expected to be asleep in their units. A primary search ensued, while firefighters worked to locate the seat of the fire. Heavy fire was located in the basement, but access was extremely limited due to excessive storage. Firefighters battled through low visibility and extremely hot conditions for as long as they could, as the heat emanated from below. Fire attack teams were unable to directly attack the seat of the fire, but were able to cut holes in the first floor to drop a Bresnan distributor nozzle (“cellar nozzle”) down into the basement, which acts like a fire sprinkler on steroids, sending water out of nine orifices and spinning in a circular pattern (distributing 600-800 gallons per minute in a 30-foot diameter).

As fire attack teams continued their battle, search teams swept through the building and facilitated evacuations of both floors, unit-by-unit. All residents were evacuated. Only one needed additional medical care at the hospital for smoke inhalation. At least four adjacent buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters were forced to withdraw as conditions deteriorated. As soon as the residents were safely outside, buckling walls and sagging floors led to the incident commander’s decision to withdraw all crews from the building. The fight continued from outside, with firefighters directing hose streams through windows of every unit.

The apartment built in 1924 had balloon construction that is characterized by open spaces within the walls that stretch from bottom to top - studs from basement to attic with no fire blocks. The fire extended upward unhindered from the basement, throughout the entire building, and across the attic. Eventually, the south side of the building collapsed. Due to the extensive fire damage and partial collapse, the only option was to tear down the building. Because of the structural compromise, it was unsafe for firefighters to make entry. Excavators were ordered to demolish the building and Department of Transportation removed vehicles off the street to make room for the operation. Firefighters stood by for at least two days to continue monitoring the fire and extinguish hot spots as the debris was removed.

Red Cross was notified to assist residents with interim housing. An MTA bus was ordered to give residents a sheltered place to wait, off the street, while details for accommodations were worked out. LAFD CERT teams set up on scene to support firefighters, as this turned into an extended operation.

Apartment fires are notoriously dangerous with high potential for casualties. Today, we are reminded of the importance of operable fire protection systems (especially smoke detectors), and previously-discussed emergency escape plans, and it was fortunate only one resident was injured in the blaze.

LAFD Incident: 051620-0131

Venice Strip Mall Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 11:29PM on January 18, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in teh 2800 block of S Abbot Kinney Bl in Venice.

34 firefighters took 20 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish fire in one unit of a one-story strip mall. There were no injuries reported.

LAFD Incident: 011822-1706

Chatsworth Fire Sends Two LAFD Firefighters to Hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department

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CHATSWORTH - It took 122 Los Angeles Firefighters just 81 minutes to win a relentless battle with wind-whipped flames accidentally sparked by a propane fueled barbecue, that damaged four condominium units under a common roof in the 22100 block of James Alan Circle on July 4, 2017. Two LAFD firefighters sustained non-life threatening injury in the fierce firefight. © Photo by Rick McClure

LAFD Incident: 070417-1009

Fire Rips Through Van Nuys Industrial Building by Los Angeles Fire Department

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VAN NUYS - A persistent battle by 40 members of the Los Angeles Fire Department led to a relatively quick (23 minute) extinguishment of a commercial fire at an upholstery shop and auto shop on the 14700 block of West Bessemer Street on May 29, 2023.

LAFD Incident 052923-1135

Greater Alarm Fire in South LA by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:26PM on November 24, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 120 block of E Washington Bl in South Los Angeles. 116 LAFD firefighters took just 26 minutes in offensive operations to extinguish the bulk of flame in a 150' x 200' two story strip mall with no injuries reported.

LAFD Incident 112421-1235

House Saved from Big Rig Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 10:19PM the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 8100 block of N St Clair, North Hollywood, to find a big rig parked in the driveway full involved in fire. While the flames were impinging the house, firefighters worked quickly to prevent it from causing total destruction.

LAFD Inc1544-053017

LAFD Incident: 053017-0129

Hollywood Commercial Fire Kills One by Los Angeles Fire Department

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HOLLYWOOD - Fire burned through a two-story concrete industrial building on Thursday, May 19, 2022, killing one person.

Seventy-eight firefighters responded to the 6600 block of West Lexington Avenue at 5:42 PM to find a two-story commercial building with smoke showing. There was an abundance of small individual recording studios inside, creating a very compartmentalized layout, which was extremely challenging to navigate and crawl through in zero visibility. Additionally, the studios had sound deadening thick walls, extra insulation, double drywall, and thick windows. While this design was intended to keep the sound from escaping, it also excelled at keeping the smoke and heat from escaping. Firefighters inside took a beating during a very hot and intense battle, but were relentless and extinguished the flames in 51 minutes.

During the fire fight, two patients were found with smoke-related respiratory symptoms. Firefighter-paramedics treated them on scene, and both declined transport. Tragically, during their systematic interior search, firefighters discovered one person deceased in the structure. Human Remains Detection K9s were called to search the area and, thankfully, did not find any other victims.

After the flames were extinguished, firefighters discovered marijuana upstairs, which appeared to be a grow operation. LAFD's Fire Prevention Bureau was notified and Fire Inspectors from the Cannabis Unit responded to review previous records, inspect the building, help determine if this was legal, and (in a joint effort with Fire Investigators) determine if it contributed to the cause of the fire. These investigations remain active (currently no conclusions have been made).

LAFD Incident 051922-1214

Person Found Dead Inside Burning Boyle Heights Building by Los Angeles Fire Department

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BOYLE HEIGHTS - A person was found dead within an abandoned building in the 2500 block of East Whittier Boulevard, following a fierce firefight early April 11, 2020.

LAFD Incident 041120-0244

Greater Alarm Fire in Koreatown by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 12:08AM on May 15, 2020 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 200 block of S Vermont Av in Koreatown. Firefighters arrived to find a commercial strip mall (mixed one and two story) with heavy fire showing from the 2nd story on one end of the mall. A defensive operation ensued and 71 firefighters fully extinguished the fire in 45 minutes. The facade of the building collapsed due to loss of structural integrity from a previous burn. LAFD Arson section is conducting the cause investigation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Use of This Photo Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: LAFD

LAFD Incident: 051520-0004

Downtown Los Angeles Commercial Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 8:42AM on March 10, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 720 S Ceres Ave in Downtown Los Angeles. The first arriving fire company found a one story commercial building with smoke showing.

As firefighters worked to gain entry into the building, the conditions worsened and they faced thick, black smoke, severely limiting visibility. Vertical ventilation conducted by the truck company opened up the roof to find heavy, pressurized smoke emanating from holes cut towards the back of the building. This smoke turned to fire and given the distance from where firefighters entered and the location of the fire combined with the amount of fire present, the incident commander, Assistant Chief Wade White, made the call to move the operation into a defensive mode.

All crews exited the building and came off the roof to rapidly deploy master streams. With multiple ladder pipes and large diameter hand lines flowing, firefighters quickly made progress as the white smoke in the sky dissipated.

The incident then transitioned back into the offensive mode and once the ladder pipes were shut down, an interior fire attack resumed, extinguishing the remaining pockets of fire.

Over 90 firefighters achieved a knockdown in 40 minutes with no injuries reported. The 4,536sq foot, nearly 100 year old building, housed an artist’s studio/metal fabrication business and was ‘red-tagged’ (deemed unsafe to occupy) by the LA Department of Building and Safety.

The LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) responded per protocol and is actively investigating the cause of the fire.

Use of This Photo Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: Gary Apodaca

LAFD Incident: 031022-0396

North Hills Commercial Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 1:29PM on August 5, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 9400 block of N Sepulveda Bl in North Hills. Firefighters arrived to find a one story, metal clad commercial building with smoke showing. This was the site of a previous burn and ventilation holes were already in the roof, therefore crews initiated a defensive operation. 38 firefighters extinguished the fire in 27 minutes with no injuries reported.

LAFD Incident: 080521-0912

Rubbish Fire Spreads to Pacoima Pallet Yard by Los Angeles Fire Department

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PACOIMA - At 2:23 PM on Sunday, August 1, 2021, on the 11000 block of North Sutter Avenue, LAFD responded to a rubbish fire that extended to a pallet yard, threatening nearby commercial buildings. Firefighters had the train tracks shut down and quickly doused the pallet yard fire, extinguishing the flames in 31 minutes and skillfully protecting the nearby structures. There were no reported injuries and no extension into the nearby buildings. The cause is under investigation.

LAFD Incident: 080121-0822

Greater Alarm Fire in North Hollywood by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:09PM on May 28, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 6800 block of N Troost Av for a reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a one story commercial building with fire showing. Crews immediately initiated an offensive operation with interior fire attack and truck companies on the roof performing vertical ventilation.

Approximately 20 minutes into the incident, a partial roof collapse at the front of the building triggered the transition to a defensive operation. Over 80 firefighters ultimately extinguished the blaze in one hour and 46 minutes with no injuries reported. They contained the fire to the building of origin, defended the exposed buildings from damage. LAFD Arson responded for the investigation per protocol.

LAFD Incident 052822-1075

North Hollywood Blaze Hits Multiple Businesses by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:33AM on June 10, 2019, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 5241 N Lankershim Blvd. With a large plume of smoke visible while enroute, firefighters knew it would be difficult fight. The 94-year old building, approximately 150' x 75', had heavy fire and smoke showing upon arrival of the fire companies. Firefighters initiated an offensive attack with companies going both to the roof and inside to battle the flames. Twenty minutes later, as the fire evolved, it became too dangerous to remain inside the structure and the operation transitioned to defensive mode.

Truck companies initiated ladder pipe operations while Engine companies used both the wagon battery and heavy stream hand-lines. Thousands of gallons of water streamed into the fire, abating the bulk of the flames. However, the challenged remained reaching the remaining fire in pockets not accessible from the exterior. Two hours and 16 minutes later, 113 firefighters, under the guidance of Incident Commander Assistant Chief Stephen Gutierrez, achieved knockdown.

Despite the challenging conditions, seven businesses were saved by the relentless efforts of Your LAFD firefighters. The large building housed a dozen separate businesses and firefighters limited the damage to five at the epicenter of the blaze. Ultimately, the five businesses suffering varying levels of fire, smoke and/or water damage were Greenhouse, Tokyo Delve's Sushi, Chili Rollz, District Pub and Joe Coffehouse.

The scene remained active throughout the morning while firefighters performed overhaul operations and the LAFD Arson Section conducted the cause investigation of this non-injury fire.

LAFD Incident 061019-0252

Stubborn Commercial Fire in Pico-Robertson by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 11:32AM on July 24, 2020 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 9041 W Pico Blvd. Firefighters arrived to find a 100’ x 50’ commercial building with heavy smoke showing.

Firefighters quickly threw ground ladders to the building, took a fire attack line inside and ascended the aerial ladder to initiate vertical ventilation. After working an aggressive, offensive attack for 28 minutes the conditions continued to deteriorate and the Incident Commander made the call to move to a defensive operation.

With master streams applying copious amounts of water into the structure, using the collapsed roof as a way to access the pockets of fire, crews gained the upper hand. 115 firefighters, working under the command of Assistant Chief Dean Zipperman, extinguished this Greater Alarm structure fire in two hours and 13 minutes. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for a non-life threatening heat related illness.

While no evacuations of the area were required, there was one home to the rear of the fire unit which was blanketed with the smoke. An elderly couple was sheltered in place and two paramedics stayed with them to ensure they were safe. They did not require any medical treatment and the home remained free of smoke.

One of the operations firefighters conduct at structure fire is called, Salvage. This entails covering, removing or otherwise protecting contents of a structure, as best as possible, from suffering damage during an emergency. This usually happens inside of a home; however, at this incident firefighters took the initiative to cover three vehicles with tarps. The cars were right in the middle of the fire ground and would likely be dinged or damaged in some way.

The initial stages of the cause investigation, by LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section, revealed evidence of a possible drug operation in the structure. The investigation remains active and on-going.

LAFD Incident: 072420-0570

Heavy Fire in Koreatown Building by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 8:22AM on January 30, 2019 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 300 block of N Vermont Ave in Koreatown. Firefighters took only 25 minutes to knock down heavy fire in the 3 story, vacant commercial building.

Photo Use Permitted via Creative Commons - Credit: LAFD Photo | Peter Sanders

LAFD Incident: 013019-0336

LAFD Confines Fire to Outside Shed by Los Angeles Fire Department

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SYLMAR - At 5:52 PM on September 6, 2021, LAFD responded to the 15200 block of West La Valle Street, where firefighters quickly extinguished flames consuming a detached shed behind a residence.

LAFD Incident 090521-1279

another day, another fire by Andrew Wallace

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Seems to be a regular occurrence near the suburb I work.

LAFD Holds Fire Within Vacant NoHo Business by Los Angeles Fire Department

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NORTH HOLLYWOOD - It took thirty-four members of the Los Angeles Fire Department just 24 minutes in largely defensive operations to access, confine and fully extinguish the stubborn flames of a non-injury fire within a vacant one-story commercial building at 6669 Lankershim Boulevard early February 24, 2023.

LAFD Incident 022423-0023

Greater Alarm Fire in North Hollywood by Los Angeles Fire Department

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At 5:09PM on May 28, 2022 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 6800 block of N Troost Av for a reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a one story commercial building with fire showing. Crews immediately initiated an offensive operation with interior fire attack and truck companies on the roof performing vertical ventilation.

Approximately 20 minutes into the incident, a partial roof collapse at the front of the building triggered the transition to a defensive operation. Over 80 firefighters ultimately extinguished the blaze in one hour and 46 minutes with no injuries reported. They contained the fire to the building of origin, defended the exposed buildings from damage. LAFD Arson responded for the investigation per protocol.

LAFD Incident 052822-1075

Fire by Los Angeles Fire Department

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On 3 June, 2017, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 11000 block of W Oxnard St in North Hollywood. 66 firefighters battled the heavy fire in a 2 story apartment building and extinguished it in 34 mins.

LAFD Incident 060317-0119

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