LAFD Tames Stubborn Storage Fire in Sherman Oaks
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
LAFD Spokesperson: Brian Humphrey
Los Angeles Fire Department crews quench flames behind a Sherman Oaks hot tub sales company on December 20, 2016.
Photo Credits:
Copyright: Rick McClureSHERMAN OAKS-
Flames that towered behind a shopping center on busy Sepulveda Boulevard were skilfully tamed by more than six dozen firefighters Tuesday night, before anyone was injured or structures damaged.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 5:04 PM on December 20, 2016 to 5830 North Sepulveda Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, where firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire to the rear central section of a large one-story strip mall.
Seventy-four firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Patrick Butler immediately deluged the intense flames with master streams and large diameter hose lines in a successful defensive operation, before navigating safely among downed power lines and arcing electrical transformers, to commence a well-coordinated battle against the stubborn fire with handlines.
The fire was adroitly confined to outside storage, including approximately four dozen fiberglass portable spas - stacked 5 high, as well as volatile wooden pallets, packaging materials and vegetation in a secured area to the rear of block-long row of businesses.
The flames, which involved no chemical products, were extinguished in less than 90 minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to overhaul the smoldering pile of debris.
No injuries were reported.
Fire loss to the outdoor inventory and infrastructure of Lifestyle Outdoor is still being tabulated. LAFD responders prevented the fire from entering that business, or the seven others that occupy the 37,460 square-foot strip mall immediately west and adjacent to the fire. The cause of the greater alarm blaze remains under active investigation.
Dispatched Units: E88 E288 T88 RA88 E239 T39 RA39 E100 E83 BC10 BC14 CM42 E90 E278 T78 EM17 BC17 E87 T87 E287 EM17 RA90 H4 RA100 EM17 SQ87 UR88 EA1
