LAFD: Civilian Double Fatality Structure Fire / Arson

Sunday, March 4, 2012

LAFD: Civilian Double Fatality Structure Fire / Arson

SOUTH LOS ANGELES - One woman died and firefighters later recovered the remains of another person, from the aftermath of an arson blaze that took place Friday morning at 1029 East Vernon Avenue in South Los Angeles.
Update: Police believe the suspect is the resident's ex-roommate.

South LA House Fire Video: KCAL

The fire was reported at 5:51 AM on Friday, March 2, 2012, bringing the swift response of 67 Los Angeles Firefighters, who discovered well-entrenched flames throughout an abandoned and apparently secured 50' x 50' one-story residential-business conversion.

Despite fire-induced physical compromise of the clearly vandalized wood-frame and stucco structure that included a basement, the report of one or more persons trapped inside led LAFD crews to relentlessly search the flame-filled premises, with firefighters quickly discovering, rescuing and providing care to a critically injured woman - who later died at an area hospital.

The fire was extinguished in just 32 minutes.

Despite credible reports that a second person seen earlier with the woman had fled prior to the Fire Department's arrival, the LAFD immediately deployed a specially trained cadaver search dog and handler to scour remnants of the building, which was destroyed by the fast-moving fire.

Returning to the debris-filled scene in the two days that followed, neighborhood firefighters were able to uncover evidence of human remains on Sunday morning. They then devoted themselves to working alongside Coroner's officials and Investigators in seeing that the victim was removed and handled with the utmost of dignity and respect.

No other injuries were reported.

A positive identification of the deceased - to include their age and gender, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of their deaths will be determined by the County of Los Angeles Department of Coroner.

LAFD Investigators, who enlisted the aid of an accelerant detecting canine, determined the fire to be a deliberate act. Monetary loss from the fire has yet to be tabulated.

Those with information regarding this double-fatality blaze are encouraged to contact the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section directly at (213) 893-9800.

Civilian Double Fatality Structure Fire / Arson
1026 E Vernon Av
South Los Angeles
Friday, March 2, 2012
TIME: 5:51 AM
INCIDENT #: 0186
Updated Information: http://lafd.blogspot.com/2012/03/south-los-angeles-inferno-takes-two.htmlCalifornia Fire News 2011 - - Follow @CalFireNews

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Sunday, March 4, 2012