On Tuesday, July 22, at 1:36 AM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and Deputy Chief Mario Rueda, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Richard Warford responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 10725 W Penrose St in Sun Valley.
Firefighters arrived to find fire thru the roof of a tall, one-story building located behind a church. Firefighters were able to gain access to the interior of the structure and advance hoselines, while additional firefighters ventilated the roof above. As the fire consumed the attic, concerned for the safety of firefighters, the Incident Commander ordered all members to transition into a defensive exterior fire fight.
A short time later, after making good progress knocking down the bulk of the fire, Firefighters resumed the interior fire fight and were able to extinguish the fire in just one hour. One-hundred Firefighters battled the fire. There were no injuries reported and the dollar loss has yet to be determined. The Bethel Christian Reform Church sanctuary did not suffer any damage, however the structure to the rear of the sanctuary suffered significant fire damage.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators, the multi-agency House of Worship Arson Task Force, and the LAPD.