On Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 6:44 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team and DOT, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Roderick Garcia, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 12oo N. Alvarado St. in the Silver Lake area.

The first resources arriving on scene found a two story, center hall apartment building, over commercial with one unit on the second floor fully involved with fire. Preliminary reports on the fire floor, indicated that the fire had extended into the attic. Hoselines were expeditiously put into place and ventilation operations commenced rapidly to gain control of any fire reaching the attic space.

There was one civilian injury reported, a 42 year old male, pulled from the kitchen area of the fire involved unit unconscious, unresponsive and with seriously depressed respirations. The patient was transported to an area hospital were he was listed in critical condition from smoke inhalation and utilizing a ventilator. There were no other reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The Red Cross and the Housing Authority were contacted to assist any families that were displaced. Nine members are being housed temporarily at Berendo Middle School. Tremendous assistance was provided by Jose Gardea, Chief of Staff for Councilman Ed Reyes. The fire was called a knockdown in only 18 minutes, utilizing 113 firefighters. The fire is under investigation and the dollar loss estimate will be delayed until the completion of the fire investigation.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department