On Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 5:48 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, as well as 1 Engine Company and 1 Battalion Chief from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, all under the direction of LAFD Assistant Chief Terrance Manning, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8642 Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills.

Firefighters from the two agencies quickly navigated the winding streets of a West Hollywood-adjacent neighborhood to discover a three story hillside home well involved with fire.

Extending handlines to do battle with fierce flames, firefighters soon determined the 74 year-old resident and his male caretaker had safely fled the 2,008 square-foot building prior to their arrival.

Though the burning structure was located in the "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone" of wildfire concern - that brought additional LAFD ground and air resources to the scene, the neighborhood's timely compliance with City of Los Angeles brush clearance requirements prevented fire spread and aided in the effort to quell the blaze.

The fire was confined to the structure of origin and extinguished in just 35 minutes.

While without apparent injury or illness related to the fire, the homeowner was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for evaluation of a long-standing medical condition. No other injuries were reported.

Loss from the blaze, which heavily damaged the structure and its contents, is still being tabulated. The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department