LAFD Holds Intense Fire to Section of Sylmar Strip Mall
Monday, December 10, 2018
LAFD Spokesperson: Margaret Stewart
SYLMAR-
The tenacious and determined effort of firefighters saved the majority of businesses in a Sylmar strip mall from a destructive, early morning blaze.
At 3:47AM on December 10, 2018 the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 12777 North San Fernando Road in Sylmar. The first arriving companies found a one story, L-shaped strip mall with moderate smoke showing from the roof.
Due to a common attic and facade, the fire was at risk of quickly moving throughout the entire structure. A rapid, coordinated offensive attack began with truck companies conducting strip ventilation on the roof and interior firefighters concentrating efforts within the fire unit. As the flames intensified, the integrity of the roof over the fire unit (in the short section of the L) came into question, causing a transition to defensive operations.
While firefighters exited the unit, roof operations moved to the long section of the L-shaped building, where additional strip ventilation was conducted in a concentrated and ultimately successful effort to save the remaining businesses.
The 12,240 square-foot building, built in 1981, housed ten businesses. Although the blaze consumed three units, the relentless effort of LAFD responders resulted in seven additional businesses being protected from any direct fire harm, including a firm filled with religious goods, which were methodically protected from heat, smoke or water damage.
Additionally, the adjacent two story Econony Inn Motel and a nearby two story apartment building were protected from harm.
It took 2 hours and 50 minutes for 103 firefighters, under the command of LAFD Assistant Chief Corey Rose, to fully contain the fire. Despite multiple facade and partial roof collapses, the incident resolved with no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Dispatched per protocol due to the size of the fire, Investigators from the LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section are continuing their investigation into the precise cause of the blaze, which is not considered suspicious.
Dispatched LAFD Units: E91 RA91 RA891 E275 E75 T75 E298 E98 T98 BC12 BC10 E7 E18 E287 T87 CM42 EM15 BC15 E89 UR89 RA889 T88 E288 UR88 HR3 BC14 T89 E289 E87 E239 T39 RA75 RA98 E90 E293 T93 EM14 EM17 BC5 BC17 EA1 AR2 AR11 PI1 RT83 E89 UR89 RA889 RA89 UR88 E90 E91 E275 T75 T87 E287 E98
