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Monday, May 25, 2009 | 
On Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM, 17 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Emergency Air Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 128 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as one CERT Coordinator, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffrey S. Mottram responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 11666 West Goshen Avenue in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. 
Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the top floor of a 3-story apartment building.
Swiftly extending handlines, firefighters did fierce battle within the two-story unit, preventing the flames from spreading to other parts of the densely built and non-fire sprinklered wood-clad structure.
The fire was confined to the unoccupied apartment of origin and extinguished in just 53 minutes.
During the intense attack on the flames, a Fire Captain sustained severe but non-life threatening muscular injury, and remains hospitalized pending surgical consultation.
While seeking to recover and preserve the resident's personal property from the charred unit, firefighters discovered the remains of one pet cat that succumbed at the scene.
Though another cat was initially believed to have perished in the flames, the formerly missing feline was found later in the neighborhood with serious burn injuries. A community based effort is now underway to support the care and rehabilitation of 'Dokes'. See his Facebook page or call (310) 473-2951.
Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to a combustible item left on or near the stove.
(video)
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
26 comments:
One block over from our home, could feel the heat that far away. All fire crews incredibly calm and inspiring to watch. Amazing to watch the fire crews on the roof; bravery personified. Very sad to hear about the cats, and of course the tenants personal loss is staggering to imagine...
Many thanks to the LAFD for their quick response! Their quick action prevented this tragedy from getting worse.
Unbelievable intensity on this fire, was just leaving to go to the store, when I spotted the huge smoke plume. This one was going strong! Know exactly what it's like to have this happen, my mom lost her house in the Bel Air fire, we got out with only our clothes we were wearing, our dog (which unfortunately got lost shortly thereafter - poor guy probably tried to find his way back home :(
I am pleased to hear there was no loss of human life, but devestated to hear about the cats, too. I myself own 2 cats. May God rest their souls. Amazing no one was killed.
Couldn't believe the amount of firefighters required to stop this fire...wow...12...they just kept coming and coming and coming...not to short-change the police who also did a good job.
May God bless those who suffered any loss in this fire. My heart goes out to you, like I said...I know what you are going through. To have lost your pets and your personal items. We were fortunate enough to be able to go to Bellagio Road School, where kind people were more than generous in donations for those who had lost everything.
And here I thought the sirens were for just another accident, which there seem to be a lot of! Please let me know if there is anything you need!
The second cat was found and was burned badly, his name is Dokes. Become a fan on facebook and help us raise some money to pay his medical costs, anything helps. HE needs your help. Dokes-burned kitty in need is his facebook page all information is listed there on how to help. thank you
LAFD totally rocks!!!!
Thanks to all Battalion 9 companies including Task Force 37...It could happen to YOU!
Yes, the Lord was working for Dokes, but then I knew He would! Praise the Lord, you found the 2nd cat. Know someone who works for a local vet, if you contact me, I will see if the vets are willing to help out...maybe non-gratis? Can't promise, but will do my best to see what they can do. I live on Federal, so only a couple of blocks from where it happened. Please post if you are interested in going to the vet, or if I can help with clothes or whatever is needed. I'm the one above "anonymous" whose mom lost a house in the Bel air fire. And yes, the LAFD absolutely rocks, so do the paramedics in the area. My daughter was hit by a car last year on Santa Monica and Cotner, a hit and run accident. She suffered a head trauma, but has recovered, thank God!
P.S. Went to Facebook and have sent emails to 5 friends about Dokes!
Hi everyone! This is Abby Carpenter and I am a dear friend of Jess and Kyle for many yeas. Doakes is doing well and in stable condition! However he NEEDS YOUR HELP! I personally escorted the little guy with severe burns to the vet and after speaking with the lovely people at VCA it looks like he is going to pull through but it's going to be upwards of 6 grand to get him on the mend. If you want to send anything - every little bit counts!!!!!!!! Here's how you can help!
1. CALL VCA WEST LA ANIMAL HOSPITAL - THEY MAKE IT SUPER EASY TO DONATE RIGHT OVER THE PHONE!!! 310.473.2951
2. CHECK OUT HIS FACEBOOK PAGE!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dokes-Burned-Kitty-in-NEED/91912976554?ref=nf#/pages/Dokes-Burned-Kitty-in-NEED/91912976554?ref=nf
HERE YOU CAN PAY VIA WWW.PAYPAL.COM CLICK SEND MONEY AND ENTER INFO@KREATLIV.COM
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!
ABBY
I get the interest in the cat, but what about the Fire Captian?
Jessica Amen and Kyle Kushner are already trying to find out a way to thank him for his heroism. We hold him in our hearts and hope for a full recovery. It is truly amazing to see such a response by these brave men and women. True heroes. We thank them all for the past present and future of what they do for our community.
I agree with the above. I hope the fire captain is able to make a full recovery.
You are right, the best is wished for the firefighter and I believe, there was a civilian injured, too. May all involved recover quickly and completely!
im the daughter of a burbank fireman.. My dad has medical insurance that would make him another 6 million dollar man.. the fireman will be fine.. its a twisted knee something that happens during every Laker Game.. :) that cat is a Rock Star
Thank you so much to the many firefighters who helped to contain this quickly so that it did not spread. My wishes for a quick and thorough recovery go out to the injured firefighter (and to - who was that other person injured?) I'm hopeful, too, for Kitty Doakes's survival and recovery.
Anonymous 12:23 and Stephan,
The Fire Captain remains hospitalized, and will likely need one or more surgeries to treat potentially debilitating but non-life threatening injury.
We remain heartened by the survival of Jess & Kyle's beloved Dokes (it seems they spell it Doakes?), and ask you to also keep our colleague in your thoughts and prayers as we come together as a community to help all involved in this tragic blaze make a full and speedy recovery.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
What was the "combustible item" left near the stove that started the fire?
Thanks for the update Brian
the item was a cooler
Hey everyone!
Still sending out love and prayers to the fireman injured during the blaze. Little Doakes in on the mend!!!! We have new pictures of him up on his facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=634440579#/pages/Dokes-Burned-Kitty-in-NEED/91912976554?ref=ts
Please come join and show your support! He is a rock star cat indeed! Thanks for all the love and positive energy out there! Looks like he is going to make it!!!!
Thanks!
Abigail
Thanks to all involved for keeping the fire contained and limiting the damage and injuries. It really was a scary experience made less so by your efforts. So sad to hear about the injuries to the fireman and others. Get well soon!
Don't have any actual experience with this, but here is a list of possible sources from the Best Firends website to help with Doakes vet bills. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery, and so sorry baout Riggs. Here is the website information:
http://network.bestfriends.org/MessageBoards/TopicPopup.aspx?g=2A2FC1B902C9461C88B029C1C1A3E8ED&t=13570
This story has made it all the way to Cumbria, U.K.
Our thoughts are with all those injured. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
The fire was caused by something unattended on the stove yet they say it was primarily in an unoccupied unit? I'm confused? Was someone "homesteading" there?
Hey JerZgirl-
this is the best friend of the people that lived there. Yes, they fully occupied the unit but had JUST left 2 mins before to head down the street on foot. The stove was not on, and the real cause is still kind of unknown however the arson team said that it was from a small portable cooler on the stove and a freak accident. What made the place go up so quick was a gel ice pack that exploded like napalm. These ice packs are extremely flammable and dangerous to have in your homes. So that's the deal! We are luck that they were not actually in the apartment.
JerZGirl,
Thanks for the note. The term 'unoccupied' is routinely used to clarify that no human was home at the time of the fire.
Had the dwelling been without normal authorized occupants, the term 'vacant' or possibly 'abandoned' may have been used.
As many of us have learned through this comment thread and other sites, the burned apartment was home to Jessica & Kyle and two beloved cats: Riggs, who sadly succumbed to the fire, and Dokes/Doakes (we see it spelled both ways) who with the help of many, is making a remarkable recovery from life-threatening injury.
The combustible item left on or near the stove is believed to be a (urethane/styrofoam) cooler.
Please join us in wishing Jess, Kyle, Dokes and our injured colleague a swift return to wellness.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Abigail,
Thanks for your continued involvement with this message thread, and more importantly with your daily support for Jessica, Kyle and Dokes on their challenging road to recovery.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
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