On Friday, December 28, 2007 at 10:22 PM, 38 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Arson Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Emergency Air 1, Rehab Tender 59, Transport 2, Loader 2, Dozer Tender 1, Street Maintenance and DOT, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Chief Ralph Terrazas , responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 851 S. San Julian St. in the Fashion District.

Engine 209 returning to quarters from a medical incident, noticed heavy smoke and fire coming from one unit on the first floor of a 2 story commercial building, 150 ft. by 200 ft with a three story exposure to the south, in the fashion district. A greater alarm assignment was immediately requested to the OCD Dispatch Center. Extensive forcible entry was initiated, opening several rolling steel doors for the assigned fire attack companies. A concerted effort was made by interior fire attack companies deploying and advancing 2-1/2 inch hose lines and the roof ventilation team because of the excessive fire load of rolled carpet and baled goods. The intense fire extended from the first to the second floor, forcing companies to withdraw because of the damage and hazard caused by the burn through to the second floor level, resulting in a considerable sag.

Companies were simultaneously deployed to the three story exposure, another textile building, which sustained no damage. An AT&T cell site was located inside the fire building and with the aggressive actions of Los Angeles Fire resources, the site sustained no damage to its multi million dollar equipment. With the aid of an acquired generator, AT&T was able to re-sustain service.

It took 225 Firefighters 1 hour and 33 minutes to extinguish the fire. The dollar loss for Shawn Tech, was estimated at $450,000 ($200,000 structure, $250,000 contents), the cause is undetermined at this time and there were no reports of injury.

The above article was written for Dispatcher Cecil Manresa.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department