On Friday, September 15, 2006 at 3:20 AM, fourteen Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, eight LAFD Rescue Ambulances, four Arson Units, two Urban Search and Rescue Units, one Rehab Unit, one Hazardous Materials Team, three EMS Battalion Captains, four Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas responded to a Structure Fire With Civilian Fatality at 1522 W. 11th Place in Westlake/MacArthur Park.
First units on scene reported a 2-story apartment complex with fire showing from a lower unit and heavy smoke on the second floor. Even though the building was self evacuating, Firefighters were immediately confronted with several occupants jumping from the second floor. As Firefighters and Paramedics began rescuing occupants and providing medical care, additional Firefighters using handlines were able to confined the fire to one unit on the first floor. The fire was extinguished the fire in 32 minutes.
While using handlines to extinguish the fire, Firefighters discovered an adult male in the area of the fire without vital signs of life. Upon completion of a thorough medical assessment by LAFD personnel, he was declared deceased at the scene. In addition, six patients were treated on scene for a variety of injuries. Five patients required treatment to local hospitals for their injuries, three of those suffering moderate injuries and two complaining of minor injuries. In addition, an LAFD Arson investigator suffered a minor back injury and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the fatality are under investigation. The dollar loss is still being determined.