20 Years Ago Today: No Fiction at LA's Central Library

Each time I walk into the magnificent Los Angeles Central Library, I take reverent pause to consider how easily it could all be gone - but for the work of nearly 350 of my Brothers and Sisters who gave their all twenty years ago today.

The next time you visit the Central Library, hopefully for a free public tour, along with the magnificent art and architecture, please take a moment to view the plaque on the North wall just inside the Library's Flower Street entrance. There you will find the names of every Firefighter described in this official Department correspondence...

"On the morning of April 29, 1986, one of the most challenging structure fires in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department occurred at the Los Angeles Central Library, 630 West 5th Street.

Extinguishing this blaze required sixty fire companies, nine rescue ambulances, two helicopters, forty command officers and support personnel, a complement of over 350 Firefighters and Paramedics, and assistance from virtually every element of the Department.

Extinguishing this blaze was accomplished by the maximum commitment of bravery, courage, and determination to succeed by all those 350 members.

The members of this department performed beyond the expectations of many and through their combined efforts defied the predictions that this fire could not be extinguished short of a total loss.

Those members assigned on the historic Central Library Fire have, by their actions, set a new mark for the reputation of the Los Angeles City Fire Department by limiting the potential of a $160 million loss to $22 million in structure and contents fire damage.

These members are to be commended for their bravery, courage, determination and outstanding effort in controlling the loss to this precious resource of the City of Los Angeles."

DONALD O. MANNING
Chief Engineer and General Manager
Los Angeles City Fire Department

Yes, twenty years ago today, on April 29,1986, the mammoth Los Angeles Central Library was ablaze. Before the fire was declared a "knock down" 7 hours and 38 minutes had passed as the men and women of the LAFD battled one of the most remarkable structure fires in American history.

Approximately 45% of the on-duty Fire Department resources were committed to this fire. Fifty Fire Department members were treated for injuries with twenty-eight members being transported to medical facilities. There were no deaths or critical injuries and only one minor civilian injury.

To read, in chronological order, the amazing events that took place from the receipt of the alarm at 1052 hours until "Knock Down" at 1830 hours, please click on the link below:

LAFD Report on the Central Library Fire of April 29, 1986

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department