California | Smoke alarms help save family in burning apartment
Smoke alarms activated by a kitchen fire in a southeast Hollywood apartment allowed a family of five to escape the smoke-charged second floor unit without injury on January 19, 2012. LAFD Photo by Nande Kalenga
East Hollywood | 26 Jan 2012
A family of five abruptly awoke to the sound of their smoke alarms echoing through their apartment, alerting them of a fire. This life saving sound provided them the necessary time to call 9-1-1 and escape through a second-story window.
Just before 6:30 AM on January 19, 2012, Los Angeles firefighters quickly arrived in a little over three minutes to find smoke showing from the second story of a two-story apartment building located at 811 North Mariposa Avenue. Firefighters performed a rapid Search and Rescue operation to find anyone inside the smoke filled residence, but they were already out…
Upon detection of the fire, the family immediately called 9-1-1, then got out and stayed out! They were unable to exit the front door due to smoke & flames, therefore they broke out a window from their second-story apartment and threw a mattress outside to the ground, in anticipation of having to jump. Neighbors assisted by placing aluminum “painters ladders” to the window allowing the mother, father and three daughters to safely exit the 46 year-old building.
A total of 39 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief A. Ward, worked hard and fast to extinguish the flames in just 13 minutes. The fire was confined to the unit of origin, before it had a chance to spread to any of the dozen attached units. The cause of the fire was electrical and appears to be accidental in nature. The dollar loss is still being tabulated, and the American Red Cross assisted with the displaced family.
Every year in the United States, about 3,500 people die in home fires. Most of these deaths occurred in homes that didn’t have a working smoke alarm.
Fortunately, due to early detection from functional smoke alarms, no one was seriously injured or killed in this morning’s incident.
Smoke and heat rapidly build, making every second count. A smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke 24/7. Remember, Smoke Alarms not only protect your family but can help save the lives of firefighters who would otherwise have to risk their lives by searching a burning home for residents.
Lastly, don’t forget to prepare and practice your fire escape plan twice a year with everyone in your household, including children and people with disabilities.
Dispatched Units: E52 RA52 E6 RA6 E235 T35 E82 E227 T27 EM11 BC11 BC18 E29
California | No whooping cough deaths for the first time in 20 years – Vax efforts pay off
Sacramento | 26 Jan 2012
California recorded no deaths from pertussis (whooping cough) during 2011, a first since 1991, announced Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the state public health officer.
“Greater awareness of the disease, more rapid diagnosis and treatment, and increased vaccination rates contributed to saving the lives of infants,” said Chapman. “I thank our public health and medical communities for working together and being especially vigilant following the 2010 epidemic.”
In 2010, 9,000 Californians were diagnosed with pertussis and ten infants died from the disease. In response, CDPH partnered with local health departments and health care providers across the state implementing disease control strategies and informational alerts. The state also offered free vaccines to hospitals, allowing convenient vaccination for new parents to prevent transmission of the disease to newborns. Last fall, a new state law required students in 7th -12th grades for the first time to get a Tdap booster shot. The new school law will apply to all students entering 7th grade in 2012 and beyond.
While whooping cough remained high at more than 3,000 cases in 2011, there have been no deaths since October 13th, 2010. The last time California had 3,000 cases of whooping cough was 2005. That year, eight infants died. In 1991, there were only 249 reported pertussis cases in California.
Young infants are the most vulnerable to serious whooping cough complications. Of 575 whooping cough cases among infants 3 months of age or younger reported during 2011, 244 (42 percent) were hospitalized. That’s a significant drop since 2010 when 59 percent of infected infants in that age group were hospitalized.
Immunity gained from pertussis vaccine wanes over time, so a booster shot is needed. The new school immunization law is intended to further protect communities by ensuring that adolescents, who may no longer be immune to whooping cough, are vaccinated. CDPH produced public service announcements in English and Spanish and partnered with the California Broadcasters Association to encourage media outlets to air the ads aimed at raising awareness about pertussis and the new California law. Adults, especially those who live or work with infants, are also strongly encouraged to get a Tdap shot.
To learn more about whooping cough in California visit CDPH’s Pertussis Summary Reports. To learn more about California’s school immunization law, visit www.ShotsforSchool.org.
California | Major fire rips through offices at Wilmington refinery
Wilmington | 16 Jan 2012
Flames engulfed an administrative office building early this morning as Firefighters battled a massive fire at the ConocoPhillips Refinery.
The call was made at 4:22 am on January 16, 2012 by a passerby who noticed fire in a second-floor window of a two-story, administrative building at 1660 West Anaheim Street in Wilmington. First on-scene resources confirmed a large portion of the second floor fully-involved in flames.
A quick and aggressive interior fire-attack was made on the 75′ x 300′ structure of masonry construction, as companies on the Spanish tile roof assisted by cutting ventilation holes.
It was only 30 minutes into the incident, however, that Firefighters experienced a partial roof collapse of the nearly 100 year-old structure and the decision was made by the Incident Commander to pull all Firefighters off and out of the structure.
By that time, over 160 Firefighters had been called to the scene of this “Major Emergency Structure Fire”.
Firefighters continued their diligent work hoping to prevent this blaze from extending to any of the adjacent structures on the property. Large hosestreams were targeted from the exterior on the now well-entrenched flames. They were joined by the “fire brigade” of ConocoPhillips to assist with any technical expertise that may have aided in the firefight.
However, at no time was the refinery itself or any of its petroleum products ever in jeopardy. Business at the entire ConocoPhillips Refinery will resume following the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, despite a firefight that lasted 3 hours and 48 minutes. There were no occupants in the building at the time of the fire.
Dollar-loss estimates are not yet available and the exact cause of the blaze is under active investigation by the LAFD’s Arson/Counter Terrorism Section.
Dispatched Units: E85 T85 E285 RA85 E38 RA38 E36 E248 T48 EM6 BC6 BC13 E64 E49 E48 E264 T64 E266 T66 DC2 SQ21 EM11 BC11 BC1 T5 E205 E5 UR88 BC4 E33 T33 E233 E15 E10 E295 T95 E221 T21 AR1 EA1 BC18 BC5 RA36 RA101 RA112 EM9 RA79 T26 E226 E3 T11 E211 E61 E210 T10 E37 E2 RT40 RA85 E226 T26 E248 T48 E202 T2 E34 BC11 E215 T15 E61 E101 E292 T92 E229 T29 SU1 RA38 AR33 AR53
California | LAFD hockey team honored to support Wounded Warrior project
Los Angeles | 15 Jan 2012
On Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the LAFD Hockey Club had the honor of facing the Patriots Hockey Team in a match to benefit the Wounder Warrior Project.
A non-profit organization comprised of over 40 Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters, the LAFD Hockey Club competes in a Police/Fire league as well as tournaments and charity games that support worthy causes.
Comprised entirely of active duty, reserve, retired and military veterans, the Patriots Hockey Team was founded as a way for members of our Armed Forces to enjoy the game while giving back to the military community.
The LAFD Hockey Club and Patriots Hockey Team were proud to honor and empower wounded warriors through their charitable competition. To learn more about the true winner of their faceoff, visit:
California | Hantavirus found in San Diego County
Carlsbad | Two deer mice trapped during routine monitoring last week in Carlsbad have tested positive for the potentially-deadly hantavirus.
A combination of 53 mice and voles tested positive for hantavirus in the county in 2011, more than double the 21 that tested positive in 2010. Hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which begins with flu-like symptoms but can escalate into severe breathing difficulties and even death.
“This record high number of positive rodents is most likely due to two years of ample rain,” said Jack Miller, director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “The rain increases vegetation which provides plenty of food and shelter for the rodents to breed and multiply.”
Infected mice and voles rarely pose a danger to people when they are in the wild. But when they infest homes and garages, people can contract hantavirus by inhaling dust particles from rodent droppings and nesting materials that contain the virus. There is no treatment, vaccine or cure for hantavirus infections, which are deadly in 36 percent of cases, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The best way for people to prevent themselves from being exposed to the disease is to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds by sealing holes larger than the size of a dime, County officials said.
For more information contact the County Department of Environmental Health at (858) 694-2888 or visit the DEH website. Watch: “Hantavirus – The Airborne Menace.”
How to Avoid Exposure to Hantavirus:
- Eliminate rodent infestations immediately.
- Avoid rodent infested areas. Do not stir up dust or materials that may be contaminated with feces and urine.
- Clean up rodent droppings and urine using the wet cleaning method described below.
Use “Wet-Cleaning” Methods To Prevent Inhaling The Virus:
DO NOT SWEEP OR VACUUM INFESTED AREAS.
- Ventilate affected area by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes.
- Use rubber gloves. Spray a 10 percent bleach solution (2 tablespoons bleach to 1 cup of water), or other full strength disinfectant onto dead rodents, rodent droppings, nests, contaminated traps, and surrounding areas and let the disinfectant stand for at least 15 minutes before cleaning. Clean with a sponge or a mop.
- Place disinfected rodents and debris into two plastic bags, seal them and discard in the trash.
- Wash gloves in a bleach solution, then soap and water, and dispose of them using the same double-bag method. Thoroughly wash your bare hands with soap and water.
California | LAFD battle huge Hollywood structure fire
Hollywood | Nearly 150 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a large two-story vacant church, just before 6:00 PM January 1st, 2012.
Firefighters arrived at 1717 North Gramercy Place to find heavy fire showing from the second story of a pre-1933 church, with adjacent classrooms attached. Due to the deep set, mid-block location of the structure, the roof was difficult to access with Aerial Ladder Trucks. Therefore, firefighters utilized multiple 35′ ground ladders.
Strategically cutting three strips off the rooftop for ventilation helped limit horizontal fire spread, as firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief J. Castro used hand-lines to tackle flames within the 100′ x 50′ structure.
Loss from the fire is still being tabulated, while the cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.
Dispatched Units: E82 RA82 E227 E27 T27 RA827 E52 E235 T35 EM11 BC5 BC18 E29 E261 T61 DC3 E41 SQ21 BC11 CP2 E26 E229 T29 EM2 UR27 T3 E203 RA3 RA803 E89 UR88 BC14 RA27 E11 E260 T60 E210 T10 E76 RA52 RA35 EM14 EM9 AR27 EA1 RT59 T20 E220 T20 E220 AR7 SU1 E10 T15 E215 E27
California | Fight continues against L.A. arson fires – Person of interest detained
Los Angeles |As of 8:00 AM on January 1st, 2012, 39 fires of concern have broke out in the Los Angeles area over the last three days. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to over 3300 calls in the past 72 hours and had a 17% increase in emergencies. This is in addition to the previously mentioned arson fires on December 29th, 2011, where two individuals were arrested.
At approximately 3:30 AM on January, 2nd, 2011, a male person of interest has been detained and is being questioned. It is too early to speculate if this person is responsible for the spree of arson fires.
At 12:23 AM, on the morning of Friday, December 30th, a series of incendiary fires began in Hollywood. By daybreak, a total of 12 fires had been confirmed in the Hollywood area, and four fires in the city of West Hollywood. These 16 intentionally set fires were located in carports under apartment buildings or near single family dwellings in Hollywood. Firefighters worked tirelessly through a long and busy night extinguishing the flames. Fortunately, no civilians were injured. However, one firefighter sustained a non-life-threatening injury, and was transported to a local hospital in Fair condition. He was later released.
A Joint Task Force was formed between the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, LA County Sheriff’s, and members of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to investigate these fires and to apprehend the suspect or suspects responsible for these heinous acts.
The LAFD handled 16 fires by the morning of December 31st that met our criteria of concern. These fires predominantly involved vehicles, many in carports or in close proximity of a structure. Most of these fires were located in the North Hollywood area and the Fairfax District.
These were very dangerous fires that pose a serious concern to the community. Fortunately, no civilians were injured.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department initially reported one fire meeting the criteria in the Lennox area, however after a thorough investigation of the scene, it was determined that this fire was not related to these series of fires.
On New Year’s morning the Los Angeles Fire Department reported five incidents related to this series of fires. One incident involved a vehicle fire in a carport that extended into the structure. Another fire was confined to the vehicle and was controlled prior to extending into the structure. The three additional incidents were reported as “Fire Outs,” meaning that the fire was out prior to Fire Department arrival.
Los Angeles County Fire Department reported two incidents in the city of West Hollywood. One of the two incidents involved several vehicles in a carport and through joint firefighting efforts between the County and City firefighters was confined to the autos and the carport.
Therefore, as of January 1st, the city of Los Angeles an the city of West Hollywood have experienced a total of 39 incidents that meet the criteria in this series of incendiary fires.
LAFD Arson Investigators are working around the clock and are currently reviewing evidence, mapping out the sequence of the fires that occurred, interviewing witnesses, and canvassing the fire scenes as part of this active investigation. Our friends in law enforcement are in full force with officers on ground and in the air. Hundreds of clues are being followed up on a continual basis and all evidence is being examined to put the person or persons responsible in jail.
A combination of rewards in the sum of $60,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for these dangerous fires. Auto fires burn hot and fast and contain fuels, plastic, and combustible gases that can rapidly spread and flash over.
We are asking the public to assist. If you see a crime in progress, do not engage, immediately dial 9-1-1. Anyone with information that may assist in these active investigations is asked to call (800) 222- TIPS (8477).
Your Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers would like to thank the community and media for their continual support. We are urging all to remain vigilant.
Precautionary measures can be taken by:
- Leaving on porch lights and the lights around your carports.
- Insure your vehicles are locked.
- Insure your smoke alarms work.
- Have a family emergency plan and discuss it with your family.
- Get to know your neighbors.
- Report any suspicious activity and finally…,
California | Elderly man found dead in collection of debris after Tujunga fire
Tujunga | The remains of an elderly man who lived alone among a massive collection of debris, were found Thursday; following a days-long search by Los Angeles Fire Department crews who had extinguished a fire there early Christmas Day.
A veteran fire investigator called it one of the worst – and most saddening cases of hoarding he had seen in his twenty-plus years on the job.
The fire was reported at 2:55 AM on Sunday, December 25, 2011, bringing 51 Los Angeles Firefighters to 7053 Sunnycrest Trail in Tujunga, to battle what was initially believed to be burning vegetation.
Firefighters fought their way through thick trees, piles of discards and seven abandoned autos filled floor-to-headliner with possessions, to assault intense flames that had entered the densely packed premises.
With nearly every bit of the 4,349 square-foot lot – and all but a few cubic feet of the one-story house and detached garage filled with combustible clutter, firefighters relentlessly assaulted the flames for 67 minutes before extinguishing the fire.
With a sole resident still unaccounted for, Los Angeles Firefighters began what would become a five-day ordeal, as they sifted through tons-upon-tons of smoldering debris in an attempt to find the missing man.
Dogs trained to search for cadavers were brought to the scene on two occasions, but offered little clue in the LAFD’s relentless yet dignified search for the homeowner both near and within the house, which had been fashioned with makeshift tunnels to allow short and difficult passage.
Guided by clues from a friend detailing the man’s daily behavior, Investigators from the LAFD’s Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section were able to narrow the search, and on Thursday afternoon, discovered his remains just outside the home under nearly four feet of densely packed post-fire debris.
The precise cause, time and manner of the man’s death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.
No firefighter injuries were reported during the firefight, investigation or extended search for the man’s remains. A monetary loss from the fire was not tabulated, and the cause of blaze – with origin outside the home, was not believed to be an intentional act, according to LAFD investigators.
California | Venomous reptile found in yard of Rancho Bernardo home
Rancho Bernardo | An exotic venomous lizard found in the yard of a Rancho Bernardo home will be getting a new home at the San Diego Zoo, County Animal Services officials said Tuesday.
On Tuesday, an expert from the zoo determined the animal is a Mexican beaded lizard, said Animal Services Spokesman Lt. Dan DeSousa. The reptile is found primarily in Mexico and is a close relative of the Gila monster, a venomous lizard whose range includes Southern Arizona.
The zoo agreed Tuesday to take the animal from the County. The reptile had been at County Animal Services shelters since Friday.
The lizard is about 2-feet long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, though DeSousa hasn’t verified that with a tape measure.
“I don’t have an exact length as I do not want to handle the critter,” DeSousa wrote in an email.
A County animal control officer captured the animal Friday after a resident spotted it in the yard of a home on Lunada Place, which is in central Rancho Bernardo east of Interstate 15.
The animal control officer used a towel and heavy gloves to grab the lizard and put it in a carrier, DeSousa said.
Mexican beaded lizards do not live in the wild here. The animal may have been someone’s pet, although it is illegal to keep venomous reptiles as pets in San Diego County, DeSousa said.
California | Fast-moving fire erupts in Sherman Oaks financial firm
Sherman Oaks | A dramatic fire on Tuesday evening did damage to the mixed-use property of a Sherman Oaks financial firm, but firefighters soon tamed the flames without injury.
The fire was reported at 9:23 PM on December 27, 2011 at 15245 Greenleaf Street in Sherman Oaks, a one-story residential property converted for collateral business use.
Firefighters forced entry and aggressively attacked the blaze with handlines, as colleagues sought to halt the horizontal spread of fire through strategic ventilation of the steeply pitched roof.
The blaze quickly escalated to a greater alarm, bringing 86 Los Angeles Firefighters to battle the heavy flames within the attic, which blossomed into the sky as the roof of the 2,353 square-foot building gave way.
The relentless effort of LAFD personnel prevented the fire from extending to nearby homes in the largely residential neighborhood. The flames were confined within the building of fire origin and extinguished in just 37 minutes. No injuries were reported.
Teams of Los Angeles Firefighters stayed well into the early morning hours assisting the business owner by salvaging important business documents and client tax records. Fire loss to Entertainment Financial Services is still being tabulated. The precise cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
Dispatched Units: E88 T88 E288 RA88 E83 RA83 E109 E239 T39 EM14 BC10 BC14 E100 T89 E289 DC3 E93 SQ21 BC9 E39 E290 T90 EM17 UR88 E89 RA889 T27 E227 BC5 RA39 AR2
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