On Friday, January 5, 2007 at 8:27 PM, thirteen Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, three LAFD Rescue Ambulances, one Arson Unit, two Urban Search and Rescue Units, one Hazardous Materials Squad, two LAFD Helicopters, two EMS Battalion Captains, three Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and one Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 98 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Chris Logan, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3569 Tacoma Avenue in the Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly during a period of intense wind to find heavy fire showing from a one-story hillside home, threatening a larger 2-story residence under construction to the east.

Due to critical fire weather conditions, additional Firefighters were brought to the neighborhood during the firefight, and with the specter of flying brands, a pair of LAFD Helicopters were immediately requested to serve as aerial reconnaissance and command support, as well as provide water-dropping capability.

The aerial assault was not needed however, as a swift and decisive fire attack with hoselines was accompanied by strategic rooftop ventilation to halt the fire spread, allowing Firefighters to deftly confine the flames within the 1,147 square-foot building of origin.

The fire was fully extinguished in just twenty-two minutes, and there were no injuries.

An adult female resident of the burning home had smelled smoke, and safely evacuated with her three dogs prior to the Fire Department's arrival. Though the home was equipped with functional smoke alarms, they did not play a role in alerting the woman to the blaze.

Two adult residents were displaced by the fire, which heavily damaged the 84 year-old home, causing an estimated $175,000 ($150,000 structure & $25,000 contents) loss. The man and woman desired to seek their own accommodations.

The cause of the blaze was determined to be electrical in nature, with the origin undetermined.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department