LAFD Extinguishes Stubborn Attic Fire in Greater Wilshire

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GREATER WILSHIRE - On April 21st, 2012, The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to 857 Norton Avenue, to fight a fire in a one-story residence with an converted attic. The stubborn attic fire was extinguished before anyone was injured.

The occupants of the home called 9-1-1, just before 12:30 PM. Firefighters rapidly arrived to find smoke showing from the roof of a 1,641 square-foot residence. Truck teams quickly made their way up ladders and cut five ventilation holes in the shake-shingle roof covered with "comp", releasing smoke and fire. Additional firefighters aggressively advanced hose-lines inside but were immediately met with an additional challenge of a compartmentalization of the occupancy, increasing the difficulty for firefighters to reach the seat of the well entrenched fire. The Incident Commander ordered additional fire companies to assist. Shortly thereafter flames could be seen through the roof, and a portion of the roof caved in on the attic of the 92 year-old house.

A total of 65 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Chris Logan, extinguished the blaze in 34 minutes. The Department of Water & Power assisted with wires down "pole to house", and the Department of Transportation assisted with traffic.

Two occupants were home at the start of the fire and one was evaluated for slight smoke inhalation, however did not require transport to a hospital. Relocation assistance was offered but was not necessary, per the owners.

The dollar loss is estimated at $320,000 ($300,000 structure and $20,000 contents). The cause of this Greater Alarm fire was a roofer with a torch.

Dispatched Units: E61 E226 E26 T26 RA826 RA26 E13 E261 T61 EM11 BC11 BC18 E52 RA29 T29 E229 E29 E15 E220 T20 DC2 EA1 RA909 RP88

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department