On Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 3:54 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances,1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit,1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams,1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Rideout responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3308 Descanso Drive in Silver Lake.

Fire personnel arrived to find a multi level single family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the patio area to the rear of the structure. Due to a small street way, firefighters had the daunting task of hiking hoselines and equipment a 5th of a mile before reaching the incident. Firefighters mounted a swift exterior attack of the blaze which had destroyed much of the area of origin and extended into the attic of the home. Fire crews placed additional handlines in operation and forced entry to do battle within the residence, while roof teams cut holes to release the super heated gases.

The aggressive and well-coordinated efforts of 94 Los Angeles Firefighters confined the fire to the one structure while protecting the homes on all sides of the incident. Personnel brought the flames under control in less than 60 minutes, despite the extension throughout the 3,000 square foot home.

One firefighter suffered a second degree burn to a portion of his neck during the fight and was treated and transported to the hospital, and is expected to recover from his injuries. The fire was discovered by the homeowner who was reportedly outside the residence at the time.

No civilians were injured during the incident.

Fire loss to the non-occupied home is estimated at $2,000,000 ($1,500,000 structure & $500,000 contents) the cause is yet to be categorized.

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Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department