LAFD Spares Mormon Church in Van Nuys From Severe Damage
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
LAFD Spokesperson: Brian Humphrey
Though a classroom, kitchen and support areas sustained damage, LAFD responders spared the main sanctuary and bulk of a massive LDS church facility on Saticoy Street from harm on March 1, 2017.
Photo Credits:
Creative Commons Licensed For Your Use: LAFD Photo by Erik ScottVAN NUYS-
Dozens of Los Angeles Firefighters fought flames at a central San Fernando Valley church early Wednesday morning.
A Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief returning from an earlier and unrelated 9-1-1 call noted smoke drifting across the San Diego (I-405) Freeway at Saticoy Street at 2:13 AM on March 1, 2017. Seeking the source, he elicited the support of a nearby LAPD helicopter via interagency radio, to discover an undetected structure fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 15555 Saticoy Street in Van Nuys, just east of the freeway.
Forcing entry to the church's expansive parking lot through a pair of gates, and then into the large well secured one story structure on the east side of the premises, firefighters found heavy fire in a kitchen, classroom, hallway and attic. Laying more than a thousand feet of supply line from the nearest hydrant, LAFD crews commenced an aggressive and well coordinated assault on the flames, sparing the main sanctuary of the church from any direct fire damage.
Seventy-one firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Rodd Souter extinguished the flames in just 54 minutes. No injuries were reported.
Fire loss is being tabulated with the assistance of church officials. The cause of the greater alarm fire remains the focus of an active and customary Fire Department investigation.
Dispatched Units: E290 E90 T90 E81 RA881 RA81 E239 T39 BC10 E100 E288 T88 E287 T87 E89 CM42 BC15 RA90 EM15 AR2 E93 E273 T73 RT83 E83
