LAFD: Mission Hills Major Emergency Fire

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

LAFD: Mission Hills Major Emergency Fire

LAFD News & Information: One Business Lost in Mission Hills Major Emergency Fire

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 1:36 AM, 17 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Tim Manning, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1518 W. San Fernando Rd. in the Mission Hills area.

The initial call into the OCD Dispatch Center indicated a large cloud of smoke could be seen from a near by apartment complex. The first arriving Firefighters on scene found a large, one story commercial complex of ten to twelve occupancies, with heavy smoke and fire coming from one of the units. Additional companies were ordered.

As Firefighters focused on advancing hoselines for an aggressive interior attack, the roof team indicated the building was constructed with a light weight roof. The ventilation team began an intense effort to keep the bulk of the fire in the occupancy where the fire originated.

The gallant efforts of the roof and interior firefighting teams was halted due to worsening conditions. A large microwave tower and air conditioning unit hung precariously from the roof, imposing a serious safety concern to the Incident Commander. Observers were assigned to watch the objects for any movement that could threaten Firefighter safety. All members were cleared from the structure and a defensive attack was initiated 19 minutes after arriving on scene. Shortly after, there was a partial roof collapse with 100 % failure of the roof imminent.

After the bulk of the fire was knocked down, interior handlines were re-established. It took 133 Firefighters 1 hour and 50 minutes to call a complete knockdown on the fire. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the area of origin, The Sigue Corporation. The cause and estimated dollar loss are undetermined until the completion of the fire investigation. There were no reports of injury.

Source: Los Angeles Fire Department

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008