LAFD Identifies Dire Factors in Fatal Watts Fire

Add Feedback

Share |

On Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:33 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as one Engine Company from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responding in Automatic Aid, all under the direction of LAFD Assistant Chief Craig Fry, responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1674 East 115th Street in Watts.

First-due Los Angeles City and County Firefighters arrived quickly and simultaneously to discover the inside of a one-story 1,330 square-foot single family home fully involved with fire.

Forcing entry into the residence, firefighters encountered intense flames among "pack rat" storage of personal belongings, yet pushed on relentlessly to search all parts of the fire and smoke-charged three bedroom home for a woman reportedly trapped in the inferno.

It was during this initial assault on the flames that firefighters discovered the lifeless body of an adult female within the structure. Beyond medical help, she was declared deceased at the scene.

The well coordinated firefight - including strategic vertical ventilation, confined the blaze within the home, allowing for extinguishment of the flames in just 24 minutes.

No other injuries were reported.

Along with the excessive storage that potentially hampered occupant escape, firefighters determined the building was fitted with window security bars "non-compliant" with the City's quick-release safety standard.

There was also no evidence of smoke alarms within the home as required by law. The 93 year-old wood frame building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the deceased woman, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of her death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated.

Having ruled out an intentional act, Los Angeles Fire Department Investigators continue to look into the cause of a blaze they consider to be accidental in nature.

Republished with permission of the Los Angeles Fire Department. View original article here.






Author:Brian Humphrey - PIO - Los Angeles Fire Department