Auto Fire Spreads to Townhome in Reseda

On Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 3:50 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Mark Jones, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 18550 W. Hatteras St. in the Tarzana area.

The initial 9-1-1 call into the OCD Dispatch Center indicated a car in a garage was on fire. As Fire personnel arrived on scene, they found a row of two story townhomes located over parking with an auto fire in the car port area located underneath the complex. The first Fire resource on scene requested additional companies after observing the fire lapping upward to the living area above. The structure was wood sided construction with wood shingles causing fire extension to the exterior of the building as well.

It took approximately 65 Firefighters to knockdown the blaze in 32 minutes. No injuries to civilian or Fire personnel was reported. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. The dollar loss was estimated at $130,000 ($100,000 structure, $30,000 contents). A family of two was displaced, and declined assistance from the Red Cross, opting to stay with family.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department