On Monday, December 25, 2006 at 4:29 AM, seven Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, three LAFD Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, one Hazardous Materials Team, two EMS Battalion Captains, one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Douglas Graft responded to a Structure Fire at 2342 N. Riverdale Av. in Lincoln Heights/Solano Canyon.

As Firefighters arrived they found a 1000 Square Foot, single family residence with heavy fire showing from one room in the front of the home. In addition, the remainder of the home was heavily charged with thick smoke. The home was fortified with security bars on the doors and windows, causing Firefighters to have to conduct forcible entry to gain access into the home to fight the fire and perform a thorough search for possible victims. Due to numerous vehicles in the driveway, the time of day, and the fact that it was Christmas morning, it was feared that the house would be occupied.

While Firefighters attacked the fire and performed vertical ventilation on the roof, additional Firefighters conducted a thorough search within the structure. Firefighters were able to locate and remove a 21 year-old male from the home. Firefighter / Paramedics quickly assessed the man and determined that he was not breathing and immediately began performing Advanced Life Support measures in an attempt to resuscitate the individual.

Due to the quick actions of Firefighter / Paramedics, the man was successfully resuscitated and transported to Los Angeles County Hospital in extremely critical condition. Preliminary reports have indicated that there were working smoke alarms in the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The dollar loss is estimated at $40,000 ($30,000 Structure and $10,000 Contents).

Submitted by Ron Myers/Brian Ballton, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Tags: LA, Los Angeles, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department