Rubbish Fire Spreads Through Four-Story Store
photos by Mike Meadows
features
An aggressive interior attack and the use of master streams were part of the tactics used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department to control a difficult delayed alarm fire in Dearden’s department store at 7th and Main Streets in downtown Los Angeles.
Two police officers spotted smoke coming from the rear of the 150 X 600foot, L-shaped, four-story structure. Their radio alarm was received at 10:24 p.m. July 2. Task Forces 9 and 3, Engine 30, Squad 4 and Battalion 1 were dispatched.
The first-in units initially could not see the fire, and policemen directed them to the rear of the structure, where smoke was pouring from windows on several floors of the old brick building.
The second alarm at 10:30 brought Task Forces 10 and 4, Battalion 11, and Division 1 Commander Frank Borden.
Eventually 10 task forces (two engines and a truck), three engine companies, a squad, five battalion chiefs, Deputy Department Commander Kenneth Schoebinger and Chief .John Gerard, were at the fire scene.
Started in rubbish
“The first-in units forced a fire door at the rear of the building where the fire started,” Borden stated. “The fire started in rubbish adjacent to the loading dock door and we are listing it as of incendiary origin.
“Once inside, they found heavy smoke, intense heat and flames fed by cartons and merchandise. The fire had involved the mezzanine level and was, in fact, so hot that it burned through to the second floor. It then spread up an open stairwell to the fourth floor.”
Companies laid lines into the back of the structure. When additional companies arrived, they were ordered to take hand lines, mostly 2 1/2s, through the front of the building on Main Street .
“We directed our crews inside the front of the building to hold the fire in the warehouse area,” Borden explained. “Fire doors were helpful in this effort.”
In all, 15 hand lines were in action inside the front—or west side – of the building as fire fighters kept the fire inside the back area. Some lines were taken up aerial ladders on Main Street. One line was used on the third floor from the north, or 7th Street, side.
“We were concerned for our personnel because of the heat, smoke and lack of visibility. Finally, we ordered all personnel out of the area,” Borden reported. “Then we brought ladder pipes and heavy streams into play on the rear of the building.”
Exposure protected
An old 12-story brick building with large open windows southeast of the store was threatened and a portable monitor and ladder pipe were used to protect that exposure.
Borden reported that this was one of the most difficult fires he has commanded because of the intense interior hazards. Many men used four air bottles during the two hours it took to control the fire.
It was one of the first responses by newly-activated Squad 4 and the members received a good workout as fire fighters and then helped spread more than 60 salvage covers.
