Hollywood Fire Attacks Vacant Apartment Building

Saturday, December 01, 2007 | Posted by LAFD Media and Public Relations

On Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 4:40 AM, 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Terrance Manning responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1770 N. El Cerrito Pl. in Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived to find a vacant, 3-story apartment building, approximately 100' x 150' with heavy fire on all three floors. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive interior attack coordinated with rooftop ventilation.

Even though this was a vacant apartment building, as Firefighters advanced through the structure, they conducted a primary search looking for anyone who may have been inside. Fortunately, no one was discovered during the search and no injuries were reported.

Firefighting efforts proved challenging and dangerous when holes were discovered in the floors throughout the structure. In addition, ventilation efforts were extended due to the building having a 2" lightweight concrete roof. Using a well coordinated attack, 75 Firefighters were able to control the fire in just under one hour.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.


Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Categories: , , , , , ,  

2 comments:

The Unsomnambulist said...

This was in the building across the street from my apartment, and sure enough, I was outside watching as the LAFD was in action battling the blaze (although I could only see smoke, but no fire).

Te building itself has been abandoned as far back as I've lived in this neighborhood, at least six years, and its been well accepted (and proven) that building has housed crack addicts. Surprisingly, even though the place is in disrepair, apparently one guy has lived there legitmately for years (or at least we've seen him going in from time to time, and the mailman says he delivers mail there).

Anyway, glad there were no injuries. If anything positive comes of this, I hope the building itself is finally demolished to make room for something that isn't such an eyesore.

-David Markland
www.blogging.la

Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:10:00 AM  
LAFD Media and Public Relations said...

Mr. Markland,

Thank you for the firsthand account of this morning's battle in Hollywood.

Though there are fires in our City nearly every hour of every day, the potential for danger really hits home when they are in our own neighborhood.

Please rest assured that the men and women of your Los Angeles Fire Department will work hard with other City agencies to keep your neighborhood safe in addressing many of the issues that you mention.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

Saturday, December 01, 2007 5:45:00 PM  

Post a Comment

Comments to this blog are approved or disapproved without editing.

We seek to offer a broad cross-section of *public* thoughts that are specific to the topic at hand and genuinely polite in tone - regardless of opinion.

Kindly post your comments below.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)