On Monday, August 21, 2006 at 12:52 p.m., five Companies of Los Angeles firefighters, two LAFD rescue ambulances, one EMS battalion captain, and one battalion chief officer command team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Darrell Arbuthnott responded to a structure fire at 107 N. Delfern Dr. in Bel Air Estates/Holmby Hills.
A single family home sustained significant damage to the attic and roof area during a routine fire. Using ladders to access the roof, firefighters cut holes to access the attic area and assist in extinguishing the fire. It took firefighters less than 20 minutes to extinguish the fire, saving the home from extensive damage.
Unfortunately, one firefighter sustained a severely broken arm while exiting the roof via a ground ladder. As the firefighter was ascending the ladder and exiting onto the roof, the ladder began slipping, trapping his arm between the roof edge and a ladder rung, snapping both bones in his forearm.
The firefighter then fell approximately six feet to the ground below. The firefighter was transported to UCLA Medical Center where he was admitted and will be undergoing surgery to repair his fractured arm.
The fire was caused by a faulty pool heater vent and caused $30,000 damage ($20,000 structure and $10,000 contents).