On Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 1:51 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 84 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief James Gaffney, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 430 South Union Avenue in the Westlake district of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find light smoke emanating from a three-story center hallway apartment building.

Directed by occupants who had smelled smoke within the 14,885 square-foot building, firefighters made their way to a pair of small apartments on the second floor, where a swift moving fire had erupted in the ceiling.

Ushering residents to safety in a calm and orderly manner, firefighters commenced their attack on the flames, which had spread to a wall between 3rd floor units directly above, as well as a portion of the attic.

The fire was confined to effect only 4 apartments in the 30 unit building. Flames were extinguished in just 34 minutes, and there were no injuries.

Displaced by the blaze were 5 adults and 1 child, all of whom were referred to the American Red Cross for temporary shelter and needs assistance.

Loss to the 84 year-old building has been estimated at $40,000 ($30,000 structure & $10,000 contents). The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in nature.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department