On Thursday, August 16, at 12:58 AM, 15 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Emergency Air, Building & Safety Inspector, DOT and PD, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1737 N. Western Av. in the Hollywood Hills area.

Fire Department resources arriving on scene of the early morning incident, found a 2 story single family dwelling well involved. The incident was immediately upgraded because of exposures located on three sides of the main fire building. An immediate evacuation of residents in all exposures was coordinated with the establishment of firefighting handlines.

The well established fire, presented another problem, the structural integrity of the roof. Members were backed out of the intense interior fire fight, transitioning to a defensive attack with master streams, just as a partial roof collapse on the "D" side of the structure presented itself. A request for a Building & Safety Inspector was made regarding the integrity of the structure.

It took 110 firefighters 37 minutes to extinguish the early morning fire. The cause and dollar loss estimate are undetermined until the completion of the fire investigation. There were no civilian injuries. One Firefighter did sustain minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital in good condition.

Residents of the exposure buildings were safely rehoused. Two units of the hotel located in the "D" side exposure, experienced minor flame impingement, displacing three adults whose housing needs were addressed by the building manager.