On Monday, August 24, 2009 at 0:43 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Terry Manning responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3510 E 14th St in South Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived swiftly to a 50 x 100 foot commercial building fully involved with heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof. As crews began their initial attack into the structure, they met the challenge of gaining access through two large rolling steel doors.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire at the doors and deployed large handlines to begin knocking down the bulk of the flames. A consideration was made to go toward a defensive attack, as the building became more and more unstable. Additional handlines were set in place to facilitate protection of the adjacent structures. All roof operations were halted due to partial roof collapse.

It took 106 Firefighters just under one hour to completely extinguish the blaze. There were however no injuries on this incident.

The estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated and the cause of the early morning blaze is under investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department