On Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 5:56 PM (PST), five Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, two Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, one EMS Battalion Captain, and one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team all under the direction of Battalion Chief Timothy Kerbrat responded to a Structure Fire with a Civilian Fatality at 1524 East 54th Street in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a single family dwelling well involved. As firefighters began advancing a firefighting handline through an unlocked, front security door, they noticed a badly burned body just inside the front threshold.

Firefighters removed the victim to the porch, passing patient care on to waiting LAFD Paramedics. Firefighters continued an aggressive attack on the seat of the fire, controlling the incident in only thirteen minutes.

Unfortunately, the eighty-five year-old patient had suffered significant burns and succumbed to his injuries. He was declared deceased by Paramedics at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

During the fire investigation, it was determined that the residence lacked working smoke alarms.

The fire and subsequent fatality is currently under investigation by Fire Department and Law Enforcement authorities. The dollar loss has been estimated at $65,000, ($40,000 Structure and $25,000 Contents).

Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department