On Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 6:23 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 5 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Wade White, responded to a Structure Fire at 4838 North Maywood Avenue in Eagle Rock.

While in route to a structure fire, firefighters heard the dreadful radio transmission, “Possible victim trapped” and quickly ordered additional companies. They arrived to a one-story, wood-sided single family dwelling engulfed in flames.


Neighbors frantically tried to help with garden hoses while declaring that someone was inside, thus confirming the previous radio transmission. Firefighters sprinted into action, making an attack with hose-lines while simultaneously cutting holes in the roof for ventilation. An immediate search and rescue operation commenced in this 1200 square-foot non-sprinklered home. Firefighters were disheartened to find the lifeless body of a 77 year-old male in his bathroom.

During their relentless assault on the flames, 41 firefighters extinguished the blaze in just 20 minutes and prevented it from damaging nearby residences.

No evidence of any hard wired or battery powered smoke alarms were found in the residence. There were no window security bars or other obvious non-fire factors to impede escape.

Monetary loss from the fire was $150,000 ($100,000 structure and $50,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze is not yet determined.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department