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bcjack
01-02-2007, 05:49 PM
Los Angeles Home Turns into Burning Joint

Updated: 01-02-2007 12:59:00 PM


RON MYERS
Los Angeles Fire Department


On Monday, January 1, 2007 at 2:42 AM, sixteen Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, four LAFD Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, one Urban Search and Rescue Unit, one Rehab Unit, one Hazardous Materials Team, two EMS Battalion Captains, three Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Robert Rose responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8713 N. Topanga Canyon Bl. in Chatsworth.

Upon arrival, Firefighters discovered a two-story single-family home, from which, thick heavy smoke was billowing. As the structure was self-destructing, Firefighters took an aggressive stand in an effort to extinguish the fire, search the home for potential victims, and protect nearby homes from any damage. It took 110 Firefighters one-half hour to gain control of the fire and ensure that no residents were trapped within the house.

The house suffered extensive damage to both floors and the stairwell. During Firefighting operations it was noted that the only furniture contained within the home was a table, couch, and two beds.

While the home was definitely "Under-Furnished", it was by no means empty. The entire home was filled with Marijuana plants, in various stages of growth and production. The street value of the cultivated plants which were damaged, destroyed, and confiscated will be determined by local Law Enforcement Authorities.

Firefighters remained on scene for over 12 hours assisting LAPD with the investigation and scene management. One Firefighter was transported to Columbia West Hills Hospital and subsequently placed off duty with a knee and ankle injury. The cause of the fire is listed as electrical and the loss is estimated at $330,000 ($325,000 Structure and $5,000 Contents).

That was a pretty hot joint!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

SB 405
01-02-2007, 07:38 PM
Not the first time I've heard of such a thing bc down here in la la land.

David
01-02-2007, 09:02 PM
I can't help but wonder if any of the emergency personel got a little buzzed.

bcjack
01-02-2007, 09:05 PM
Those with air packs on didn't, but there are those that may have asked for a "Downwind" assignment...:badgrin:

bcjack
01-02-2007, 09:07 PM
"One Firefighter was transported to Columbia West Hills Hospital and subsequently placed off duty with a knee and ankle injury"

Did this one get too much smoke??? :badgrin:

David
01-02-2007, 09:17 PM
Those with air packs on didn't, but there are those that may have asked for a "Downwind" assignment...:badgrin: Yeah I know that the firefighters who were in the house directly fighting the fire would have the breathing apparatus, but there's usually other personel outside, such as the paramedics with the ambulances and police officers blocking the street, directing traffic, etc.

cal911gal
01-03-2007, 12:19 AM
bcjack,

Does that sound normal, 110 firefighters for a single dwelling residence?

I mean, I'm trying to picture it...they must have been crawling all over each other!

Mac
01-03-2007, 08:21 AM
Those with air packs on didn't, but there are those that may have asked for a "Downwind" assignment...:badgrin:
They'd be easy to distinguish afterwards - they were the ones back at the station cooking and eating everything in sight! :badgrin:

ResQ
01-03-2007, 07:18 PM
I can just hear it..."Doooood...that was the loooongest fire EVER...those were some ANGRY flames....this chili is wicked good....got any Mountain Dew?"

bcjack
01-03-2007, 10:17 PM
bcjack,

Does that sound normal, 110 firefighters for a single dwelling residence?

I mean, I'm trying to picture it...they must have been crawling all over each other!

110 on a single family residence sounds like a bit too many....BUT, if it is a 30,000 square foot mansion, 110 might not be too many.

I see the stories about "110 firefighters" at a fire in the LA area and I recall the "Biggest fire in Santa Maria's History" (Which I was the Incident Commander on) and I called everyone between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo and only managed to get 75 firefighters over a 36 hour period.

David
01-04-2007, 04:47 PM
I can just hear it..."Doooood...that was the loooongest fire EVER...those were some ANGRY flames....this chili is wicked good....got any Mountain Dew?" :lol:

SB 405
01-04-2007, 05:01 PM
Not to mention stopping at Jack-in-The Box on the way back to the station and picking up about 4 dozen of those 50 cent tacos.