On Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 11:48 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 46 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Kwame Cooper, responded to a Structure Fire at 172 South Clarence Street in Boyle Heights.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the front door and side window of a one-story 711 square-foot single family home densely packed and surrounded with personal possessions.

As teams of firefighters fought their way through pack-rat conditions fueling intense flames within, other LAFD personnel provided medical attention to the home's sole occupant, a man who was able to escape the inferno with only minor smoke inhalation. Fire Department Paramedics were soon also examining a neighbor man who witnessed the fire, for possible smoke exposure.

Fueled by large amounts of combustible storage, the fire took quick hold of and all-but-consumed the attic and key structural elements of the small wood-frame home, as firefighters confined the blaze to the structure of origin, extinguishing the flames in just 34 minutes.

The homeowner and neighbor declined further medical treatment or transportation, and were released at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross was summoned to provide shelter and human needs assistance to the displaced homeowner.

The presence, functional status and role of smoke alarms within the home could not be immediately determined. The compact 101 year-old building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

Loss from the fire, which destroyed the residence, has been estimated at $90,000 ($75,000 structure & $15,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze is categorized as "under investigation".


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department