On Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 11:39 PM, four Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, three LAFD Rescue Ambulances, one Arson Unit, one EMS Battalion Captain and one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team under the direction of Battalion Chief Brian Schultz responded to a Structure Fire With a Civilian Injury at 6827 N. Whitsett Ave in North Hollywood.

The first arriving Firefighters reported nothing showing from a two-story apartment building with a loft area above the units. Upon investigation, one unit was found to be charged with hot smoke. Firefighters immediately performed ventilation operations on the roof as two teams of Firefighters attacked the fire within the small apartment, while simultaneously conducting search and rescue operations.

Firefighters discovered and immediately removed a 53 year-old male from within the burned apartment. Paramedics immediately began performing life saving procedures on the non-breathing patient in an effort to save his life. The patient, suffering from critical second and third degree burns over 50 percent of his body, was intubated and transported to Sherman Oaks Community Hospital in extremely critical condition. The patient was admitted through the Emergency Department as doctors and nurses worked feverishly to save his life.

The patient is currently listed as extremely critical. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation. The dollar loss is estimated at $15,000 ($5,000 Contents and $10,000 Structure).

Submitted by Ron Myers
Los Angeles Fire Department

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