Elevator Car Fire in High Rise Caused by Welders

On Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 10:37 AM (PST), twenty Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, two LAFD Rescue Ambulances, one Arson Unit, four Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, and one Division Chief Officer Command Team all under the direction of Assistant Chief Richard Warford responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 460 South Spring Street in the Central City/Fashion District.

First arriving units reported a 12 story, older hotel, under renovation, with heavy smoke showing from the top floor.

The Incident Command System was immediately implemented and a fire attack team began the arduous trek towards the fire floor. As Firefighters assessed the 11th floor, fire was discovered in an elevator car between the 11th and 12th floors.

Firefighters attacked the fire and were able to limit the spread of the fire from other areas of the building. The fire was controlled in just 22 minutes and the overhaul was completed in 2 hours.

There were no reported injuries.

The fire was contained to the "old style" elevator which was constructed of wood products over a metal structure. The fire was caused by welders renovating the building and working on the elevators.

The dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department