On Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:44 AM, 29 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Emergency Air, DWP, DOT, Southern California Gas Company, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 15026 W. Oxnard St in the Van Nuys area.

The initial 911 call into the OCD Dispatch center was a reported auto fire to the rear of a structure. Responding Fire resources found two autos to the rear of a commercial structure fully involved. A second 911 call from an adjacent business reported seeing light smoke coming from a one story, 45 foot by 75 foot light weight construction commercial building. The incident was quickly upgraded to a structure fire.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department initiated a fierce interior attack on the fire utilizing 2-1/2 hoselines, only to be driven back by the intense flames from the abundant fire load. The aggressive ventilation operation was ceased when the fire self ventilated causing all personnel to evacuate the roof and transition to a "defensive attack." Additional companies were called to assist with this stubborn blaze. Other safety considerations faced by the IC was the "D" side exposure, another single story light weight construction commercial building and downed, burning power lines to the "C" side of the building. DWP responded to assist with the electrical problem.

It took 185 firefighters approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes before a knockdown was called. There were no reported injuries or evacuations of adjacent buildings. Oxnard Street will remain closed until the completion of the fire investigation and clean up operations. The cause and dollar loss will also be determined at the completion of the fire investigation.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department