On Friday, October 27, 2006 at 10:49 AM, seven Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, three LAFD Rescue Ambulances, three Arson Units, one EMS Battalion Captain, one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Comerford responded to a Structure Fire With Civilian Fatality at 6909 N Sepulveda in Van Nuys.

The first Truck company arrived promptly to discover fire showing from the 3rd floor of a 3-story Travelodge Motel. As firefighters commenced an attack, they observed two male adults hanging from an adjacent motel room window in panicked response to the flames. Thru the decisive action of the men and women of the LAFD and utilization of our largest ladder, a 35' extension, firefighters were able to access both men and safely deliver them to waiting paramedics.

The synchronized application of their collective skills allowed firefighters to simultaneously battle the flames, and search the remaining units, in an effort to ensure the safety of all occupants. A total of 35 to 40 persons, either self-extricated or were extricated thru the coordinated efforts of the LAFD. The inferno was quelled in just 15 minutes and confined to only one room.

Three adults were treated at the scene for mild smoke inhalation including the two males plucked from the windows, one male, in his mid-twenties, was transported to an area hospital. Despite the aggressive efforts of firefighters, one civilian adult female regrettably perished in the fire room. The cause of this tragic blaze is under active investigation by both LAFD Arson Investigators and the LAPD. Monetary loss is being tabulated.

Submitted by Melissa Kelley, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department