LAFD Responds to Major Alarm in the Garment District

On Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 4:50 AM, 36 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 12 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 5 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, the Heavy Equipment & Dozer Company, 1 CERT Team Coordinator, Building & Safety Inspectors, DOT, DWP, LAPD and the Dept. of Sanitation, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1034 S. Los Angeles St. in the South Park area.

The first arriving Firefighters on scene found a 150 foot by 100 foot, 2 story commercial, with heavy smoke and fire showing from one corner of the 2nd floor. Additional resources were requested immediately, as this building is located in the garment district. Firefighters put forth an assertive effort establishing multiple handlines coordinated with the huge defensive effort of the rooftop ventilation team.

Firefighters provided an aggressive fire fight for approximately 25 minutes before the order was given for all Firefighters to withdraw from the interior of the structure and a defensive fire fight ensued with master streams. The intense fire fight kept the blaze confined to the original fire occupancy with no spread to adjacent buildings. The intense blaze caused power lines entering the building to burn, posing a potential electrical hazard to Firefighters. DWP assistance was requested.

It took 241 Firefighters 1 hour 52 minutes to call a knockdown. No injuries were reported. Fire damaged 3 occupancies, with several others sustaining water damage. The dollar estimate and cause of the early morning blaze is under investigation.

West Coast 911 firefighter news source - LAFD media release

Written by d’Lisa Davies, Los Angeles Fire Department / Photos by Mike Meadows