fire « The OPEN Daily

Follow THE OPEN DAILY

Posts Tagged ‘fire’

Power Lines A Growing Concern As 3000-Acre Kern County Fire Burns Into The Night

May 15, 2013 at 6:55 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

FRAZIER PARK (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters say one of their main concerns are transmission lines that provide power to the Los Angeles area in the path of the 3,000-acre Frazier Park blaze burning into the night.

Kern County was joined by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Wednesday as a fast-moving brush fire forced evacuations at a Lebac high school and Hungry Valley State Park.

The Grand Fire in Frazier Park was at 10 percent containment as of 8:00 p.m., according to Kern County Fire officials.

Ventura County and the Bureau of Land Management were also on the scene Wednesday – part of a crew of 600 fighting the brush fire.

Students at Frazier Mountain Park High School were evacuated safely, officials said. Firefighters say it’s not clear if the football field or track field there were damaged.

Several homes in the area have also been evacuated. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.

The fire is burning close to the northbound 5 Freeway at Frazier Mountain Park Road and toward the northern Los Angeles County area. Falcon Way is closed. The 5 Freeway is expected to remain open unless there is a change in winds, another main concern for officials.

Air tankers were deployed Wednesday afternoon, attempting to contain the blaze with fire retardant before it gets to the Los Padres National Forest. Helicopters were also overhead dropping water on the flames.

A bigger firefight is expected to extend through the evening as the flames work their way up the hillside in a heavily treed area. Winds are coming out of the north and west clocked as high as 25 mph.

They are expected to die down overnight before picking up again Thursday morning, potentially fueling the flames and creating dangerous conditions.

The area is not heavily populated. But some Frazier Park residents spoke with KCAL9′s Andrea Fujii about their concerns as smoke billowed above their homes.

“There’s always a chance,” Allan Andrews said. “It’s like, if it does come, what do you grab first?”

Dolores Baumgardar met the fire with similar resolve.

“It gets scary, but if you live in the mountains… you just have to deal with it,” she said.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

" addthis:title="Power Lines A Growing Concern As 3000-Acre Kern County Fire Burns Into The Night" addthis:description="

FRAZIER PARK (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters say one of their main concerns are transmission lines that provide power to the Los Angeles area in the path of the 3,000-acre Frazier Park blaze burning into the night.

Kern County was joined by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Wednesday as a fast-moving brush fire forced evacuations at a Lebac high school and Hungry Valley State Park.

The Grand Fire in Frazier Park was at 10 percent containment as of 8:00 p.m., according to Kern County Fire officials.

Ventura County and the Bureau of Land Management were also on the scene Wednesday – part of a crew of 600 fighting the brush fire.

Students at Frazier Mountain Park High School were evacuated safely, officials said. Firefighters say it’s not clear if the football field or track field there were damaged.

Several homes in the area have also been evacuated. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.

The fire is burning close to the northbound 5 Freeway at Frazier Mountain Park Road and toward the northern Los Angeles County area. Falcon Way is closed. The 5 Freeway is expected to remain open unless there is a change in winds, another main concern for officials.

Air tankers were deployed Wednesday afternoon, attempting to contain the blaze with fire retardant before it gets to the Los Padres National Forest. Helicopters were also overhead dropping water on the flames.

A bigger firefight is expected to extend through the evening as the flames work their way up the hillside in a heavily treed area. Winds are coming out of the north and west clocked as high as 25 mph.

They are expected to die down overnight before picking up again Thursday morning, potentially fueling the flames and creating dangerous conditions.

The area is not heavily populated. But some Frazier Park residents spoke with KCAL9′s Andrea Fujii about their concerns as smoke billowed above their homes.

“There’s always a chance,” Allan Andrews said. “It’s like, if it does come, what do you grab first?”

Dolores Baumgardar met the fire with similar resolve.

“It gets scary, but if you live in the mountains… you just have to deal with it,” she said.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

">

Big Rig Fire Spreads To Nearby Brush Near 5 Freeway In Castaic

May 13, 2013 at 4:32 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

CASTAIC (CBSLA.com) — A roughly 25-acre brush fire shut down some lanes on the 5 Freeway in the Castaic area Monday afternoon.

Los Angeles County fire crews responded to a call of a big rig on fire around 3:40 p.m. near the northbound side of freeway at Templin Highway.

The high temperatures and the wind helped the flames from the truck spread to the hillside.

Traffic was down to one lane on the I-5 as approximately 120 firefighters worked to battle the blaze.

Two water-dropping helicopters, including one from LA City Fire, were sent to assist in the effort.

Although no evacuations have been ordered, sheriff’s officials were worried about residents in the Paradise Ranch Mobile Home Park.

No injuries were reported.

Van Nuys Apartment Fire Causes $105K In Damage, Displaces 4

May 12, 2013 at 12:29 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A fire Sunday displaced four people after ripping through one unit of an apartment complex in Van Nuys.

Erik Scott, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, says the flames were confined to one unit on the second floor of a 54-unit building.

The fire in the 15700 block of W. Sherman Way broke out just after 9:22 a.m.

Scott says 50 firefighters were dispatched to the firefight. The blaze was knocked down within 21 minutes.

Scott estimates that the fire caused an estimated loss of $105,000.

Four people, including two children, were displaced, according to Scott. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

Scenes from last night’s Echo Park house fire

April 24, 2013 at 8:35 am

www.theeastsiderla.com -

A fire that broke out in an attic of an Echo Park home early this morning left two people, including a firefighter, injured, reports the Los Angeles Fire Department. One of the residents was injured when he jumped from a window, according to Patch. The firefighter’s injuries were described as minor. The fire was reported at about 12:30 a.m. at 911 N. Bonnie Brae St., according to posts on the LAFD Twitter feed. The blaze was knocked down in about 45 minutes.

Click on the link below to view photos shared on social media.

[View the story "Photos of last night's Echo Park house fire were taken from near and far. " on Storify]

A fire that broke out in an attic of an Echo Park home early this morning left two people, including a firefighter, injured, reports the Los Angeles Fire Department. One of the residents was injured when he jumped from a window, according to Patch. The firefighter’s injuries were described as minor. The fire was reported at about 12:30 a.m. at 911 N. Bonnie Brae St., according to posts on the LAFD Twitter feed. The blaze was knocked down in about 45 minutes.

Click on the link below to view photos shared on social media.

[View the story "Photos of last night's Echo Park house fire were taken from near and far. " on Storify]

" addthis:title="Scenes from last night’s Echo Park house fire" addthis:description="

A fire that broke out in an attic of an Echo Park home early this morning left two people, including a firefighter, injured, reports the Los Angeles Fire Department. One of the residents was injured when he jumped from a window, according to Patch. The firefighter’s injuries were described as minor. The fire was reported at about 12:30 a.m. at 911 N. Bonnie Brae St., according to posts on the LAFD Twitter feed. The blaze was knocked down in about 45 minutes.

Click on the link below to view photos shared on social media.

[View the story "Photos of last night's Echo Park house fire were taken from near and far. " on Storify]

">

Body Found In Burning SUV In Rancho Palos Verdes

April 23, 2013 at 5:09 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

RANCHOS PALOS VERDES (CBSLA.com) — A body was discovered inside a burning sports utility vehicle Tuesday in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Fire crews were called to a private driveway in the 30100 block of Miraleste Drive around 2:30 p.m. in response to an SUV on fire.

“Once the fire department extinguished the fire, a body was found in the vehicle. It’s unknown at this time the exact cause of the fire. LA County homicide is working with arson investigators to determine the cause of the fire,” said Lt. Holly Francisco of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said the body was so badly burned, they couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman.

Resident Stephanie Mullins said she saw the blaze erupt and snapped a picture.

“It was kinda shocking. I was about to call 911. Then I heard the sirens from the fire department. They started putting out the flames,” she said.

Neighbors said there has been a recent rash of home burglaries in the area. Just last month, a home invasion was reported, as well.

" addthis:title="Body Found In Burning SUV In Rancho Palos Verdes" addthis:description="

RANCHOS PALOS VERDES (CBSLA.com) — A body was discovered inside a burning sports utility vehicle Tuesday in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Fire crews were called to a private driveway in the 30100 block of Miraleste Drive around 2:30 p.m. in response to an SUV on fire.

“Once the fire department extinguished the fire, a body was found in the vehicle. It’s unknown at this time the exact cause of the fire. LA County homicide is working with arson investigators to determine the cause of the fire,” said Lt. Holly Francisco of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said the body was so badly burned, they couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman.

Resident Stephanie Mullins said she saw the blaze erupt and snapped a picture.

“It was kinda shocking. I was about to call 911. Then I heard the sirens from the fire department. They started putting out the flames,” she said.

Neighbors said there has been a recent rash of home burglaries in the area. Just last month, a home invasion was reported, as well.

">

Arson Team InvestigatingSuspicious” Koreatown Fire

April 15, 2013 at 11:05 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

KOREATOWN (CBSLA.com) — A fire Monday at an 81-year-old Koreatown building that was undergoing a renovation has been deemed suspicious by arson investigators, officials said.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m. at a three-story apartment building, located at 3390 West San Marino Street.

It took more than 148 firefighters approximately 90 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

“This massive structure proved challenging with the attic fully involved in fire, compromised stairwells, and debris that spread fire throughout all floors,” spokeswoman Katherine Main said.

The Department of Building and Safety “red tagged” the structure, deeming it unsafe for entry.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury in the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the LAFD Arson Counter Terrorism Section has deemed it suspicious in nature.

A damage estimate was still being calculated.

" addthis:title="Arson Team InvestigatingSuspicious” Koreatown Fire" addthis:description="

KOREATOWN (CBSLA.com) — A fire Monday at an 81-year-old Koreatown building that was undergoing a renovation has been deemed suspicious by arson investigators, officials said.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m. at a three-story apartment building, located at 3390 West San Marino Street.

It took more than 148 firefighters approximately 90 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

“This massive structure proved challenging with the attic fully involved in fire, compromised stairwells, and debris that spread fire throughout all floors,” spokeswoman Katherine Main said.

The Department of Building and Safety “red tagged” the structure, deeming it unsafe for entry.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury in the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the LAFD Arson Counter Terrorism Section has deemed it suspicious in nature.

A damage estimate was still being calculated.

">

Crews Contain Small Brush Fire In Topanga Canyon

March 11, 2013 at 4:43 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

TOPANGA (CBSLA.com) — Crews contained a small brush fire in Topanga Canyon Monday afternoon.

The blaze started just after 3 p.m. along the 1900 block of Old Topanga Road.

Officials said a mobile home was initially fully engulfed in flames before it set off brush in the surrounding area.

Two helicopters were dispatched to the scene to help firefighters on the ground.

There were no reports of any injures.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

" addthis:title="Crews Contain Small Brush Fire In Topanga Canyon" addthis:description="

TOPANGA (CBSLA.com) — Crews contained a small brush fire in Topanga Canyon Monday afternoon.

The blaze started just after 3 p.m. along the 1900 block of Old Topanga Road.

Officials said a mobile home was initially fully engulfed in flames before it set off brush in the surrounding area.

Two helicopters were dispatched to the scene to help firefighters on the ground.

There were no reports of any injures.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

">

Mar Vista Residents Rattled After Watching Lightning Spark House Fire

March 8, 2013 at 11:35 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

MAR VISTA (CBSLA.com) — Mar Vista residents were rattled early Friday morning after witnessing lightning spark a house fire during a storm.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. at a one-story residence on Moore Street between the Santa Monica Airport and Venice Boulevard.

Sandra Saunders said she was getting into bed when she saw the lightning bolt strike the home across the street and ignite a blaze in the attic.

“It was like a fireball,” she said. “I saw this huge flash. It scared me and instantly there was this big explosion.”

Greg Maya said, “We could see big plumes of smoke coming from the house…we’re from back East and we’re used to thunder, but that kind of cracking thunder. This was something else. It sounded bigger and longer.”

“It sounded like a plane had crashed or a locomotive was coming through,” a woman told KCAL9’s Kristine Lazar.

Although it only took about 15 minutes for nearly 30 firefighters to extinguish the fire, neighbors were on edge all night.

“I was terrified. I said to my husband, ‘Can it happen again?’” said Saunders.

Resident David Sumida, however, was more intrigued by the damage of the lightning strike.

The physics professor snapped pictures to show to his students.

“We’re talking about electromagnetic radiation and light and all that stuff. I wanted to take pictures and just show them the power of a lightning strike,” said Sumida.

" addthis:title="Mar Vista Residents Rattled After Watching Lightning Spark House Fire" addthis:description="

MAR VISTA (CBSLA.com) — Mar Vista residents were rattled early Friday morning after witnessing lightning spark a house fire during a storm.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. at a one-story residence on Moore Street between the Santa Monica Airport and Venice Boulevard.

Sandra Saunders said she was getting into bed when she saw the lightning bolt strike the home across the street and ignite a blaze in the attic.

“It was like a fireball,” she said. “I saw this huge flash. It scared me and instantly there was this big explosion.”

Greg Maya said, “We could see big plumes of smoke coming from the house…we’re from back East and we’re used to thunder, but that kind of cracking thunder. This was something else. It sounded bigger and longer.”

“It sounded like a plane had crashed or a locomotive was coming through,” a woman told KCAL9’s Kristine Lazar.

Although it only took about 15 minutes for nearly 30 firefighters to extinguish the fire, neighbors were on edge all night.

“I was terrified. I said to my husband, ‘Can it happen again?’” said Saunders.

Resident David Sumida, however, was more intrigued by the damage of the lightning strike.

The physics professor snapped pictures to show to his students.

“We’re talking about electromagnetic radiation and light and all that stuff. I wanted to take pictures and just show them the power of a lightning strike,” said Sumida.

">

Car goes up in flames in middle of Silver Lake street

February 7, 2013 at 8:51 am

www.theeastsiderla.com -

Photo by Silver Lake resident

Firefighters on Wednesday night quickly put out a blaze that charred a vehicle parked in the middle of the 3100 block of Marathon Street in Silver Lake. “One of the neighbors saw a guy stop the car and run out in the middle of the street, and then the thing burst into flames,” said the resident who took the photo above. “It looked like a movie.” The Eastsider is checking with the LAFD to get more details about the fire, which took place at about 10: 3o p.m. Residents reported that no police ever responded to the scene but an officer at the Rampart Division said this morning there were no reports of criminal activity.

Photo by Silver Lake resident

Firefighters on Wednesday night quickly put out a blaze that charred a vehicle parked in the middle of the 3100 block of Marathon Street in Silver Lake. “One of the neighbors saw a guy stop the car and run out in the middle of the street, and then the thing burst into flames,” said the resident who took the photo above. “It looked like a movie.” The Eastsider is checking with the LAFD to get more details about the fire, which took place at about 10: 3o p.m. Residents reported that no police ever responded to the scene but an officer at the Rampart Division said this morning there were no reports of criminal activity.

" addthis:title="Car goes up in flames in middle of Silver Lake street" addthis:description="

Photo by Silver Lake resident

Firefighters on Wednesday night quickly put out a blaze that charred a vehicle parked in the middle of the 3100 block of Marathon Street in Silver Lake. “One of the neighbors saw a guy stop the car and run out in the middle of the street, and then the thing burst into flames,” said the resident who took the photo above. “It looked like a movie.” The Eastsider is checking with the LAFD to get more details about the fire, which took place at about 10: 3o p.m. Residents reported that no police ever responded to the scene but an officer at the Rampart Division said this morning there were no reports of criminal activity.

">

Woman Severely Burned When Car Hits Light Pole in Chatsworth, Bursts Into Flames

January 27, 2013 at 2:30 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

CHATSWORTH (CBSLA.com) — Two people were burned, one severely, after their car slammed into a light pole in Chatsworth and burst into flames.

LAPD Sgt. Cameron Dunnet says the crash on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Lassen Street occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday.

One of the victims, identified as a female, was transported to an area hospital with burns of over 60 percent of her body.

Dunnet said a second victim was also burned, but not as seriously.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

" addthis:title="Woman Severely Burned When Car Hits Light Pole in Chatsworth, Bursts Into Flames" addthis:description="

CHATSWORTH (CBSLA.com) — Two people were burned, one severely, after their car slammed into a light pole in Chatsworth and burst into flames.

LAPD Sgt. Cameron Dunnet says the crash on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Lassen Street occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday.

One of the victims, identified as a female, was transported to an area hospital with burns of over 60 percent of her body.

Dunnet said a second victim was also burned, but not as seriously.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

">

Big Rig Crash, Fire Shuts Down 5 Freeway In Silverlake

January 15, 2013 at 6:37 am

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

SILVERLAKE (CBSLA.com) — A big rig crash and fire early Tuesday morning has closed all lanes in both directions of the Golden State (5) Freeway just south of the Glendale (2) Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The accident was reported around 3:15 a.m. when the big rig crashed into the center median and caught fire.

“My trailer tires just locked. I tried to control it and I can’t,” the driver said.

“The cab of the big rig became fully engulfed. The driver was able to extricate himself without any injuries,” said Sgt. Mike Alvarez.

LISTEN TO KNX 1070 FOR LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES

The CHP diverted northbound traffic at Stadium Way. Southbound traffic was diverted at Flecher Drive.

No other injuries were reported. It was unclear what caused the crash.

The big rig’s trailer was empty at the time of the accident.

The CHP hopes to at least partially reopen the freeway around 7 a.m.

LIVE TRAFFIC MAP

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

LISTEN TO KNX 1070 FOR LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES

The CHP diverted northbound traffic at Stadium Way. Southbound traffic was diverted at Flecher Drive.

No other injuries were reported. It was unclear what caused the crash.

The big rig’s trailer was empty at the time of the accident.

The CHP hopes to at least partially reopen the freeway around 7 a.m.

LIVE TRAFFIC MAP

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

" addthis:title="Big Rig Crash, Fire Shuts Down 5 Freeway In Silverlake" addthis:description="

SILVERLAKE (CBSLA.com) — A big rig crash and fire early Tuesday morning has closed all lanes in both directions of the Golden State (5) Freeway just south of the Glendale (2) Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The accident was reported around 3:15 a.m. when the big rig crashed into the center median and caught fire.

“My trailer tires just locked. I tried to control it and I can’t,” the driver said.

“The cab of the big rig became fully engulfed. The driver was able to extricate himself without any injuries,” said Sgt. Mike Alvarez.

LISTEN TO KNX 1070 FOR LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES

The CHP diverted northbound traffic at Stadium Way. Southbound traffic was diverted at Flecher Drive.

No other injuries were reported. It was unclear what caused the crash.

The big rig’s trailer was empty at the time of the accident.

The CHP hopes to at least partially reopen the freeway around 7 a.m.

LIVE TRAFFIC MAP

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

">

67-Year-Old Man Injured In Apartment Fire In Pasadena

January 6, 2013 at 2:50 pm

losangeles.cbslocal.com -

A 67-year-old man was injured following an apartment fire in Pasadena, it was reported Sunday. Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian says firefighters were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 300 block of N. Hill Avenue about 9:15 p.m. Saturday. Upon arriving on scene, firefighters saw flames in a bedroom on the second-floor of [...]