On Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 1:00 AM, three Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, two LAFD Rescue Ambulances, one EMS Battalion Captain and four Arson Investigation Units, a total of 24 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Captain Greg Olsen responded to an Auto Fire with Civilian Fatality on the Northbound Golden State (5) Freeway south of Fletcher Drive in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles.

Responding to reports of a vehicle fire, Firefighters arrived quickly to discover a green Honda Accord sedan on the right shoulder of the freeway against vegetation, with heavy fire in the passenger compartment. There was no clear evidence or witnesses describing a collision.

Firefighters came to the immediate medical aid of a severely injured adult male burn victim found near the car, but despite their prompt efforts at extinguishing the flames, were unable to rescue an adult female from the front seat of the burning vehicle.

The woman was declared deceased at the scene.

LAFD Paramedics transported the 39 year-old burned man to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center in serious condition with an altered level of consciousness, as well as second- and third-degree burns to his face and hands.

The relationship between the man and the deceased woman was not determined by Fire Department responders, and no other injuries were reported.

A positive identification of the deceased woman, as well as the exact cause, time and manner of her death will be determined by Coroner's officials, who - pursuant of protocol - were joined in the death and fire investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Detectives and Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators.

The incident is categorized as suspicious and remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this early morning fire or has leads to provide is asked to contact LAFD Arson Investigators at 213-485-6095 or LAPD Robbery-Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2129. On weekends and after-hours, those with information can call toll-free 1-877-529-3855.

(video)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department