On Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 0001 Hours (12:01 AM PDT), twelve companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, two LAFD Rescue Ambulances and one LAFD Helicopter under the direction of Assistant Chief Michael Fulmis responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 6423 West Ivarene Avenue in the Hollywood Hills.
The first company to arrive on scene reported heavy fire to the rear of a large vacant three-story hillside home. With an LAFD Helicopter providing aerial reconnaissance and command support, firefighters used handlines to mount a swift and tenacious interior assault on the flames, which quickly involved all floors of the 3,810 square foot wood-frame and stucco structure.
Despite nearly thirty minutes of aggressive interior fire attack by several teams of firefighters, structural compromise of the 81 year-old building, including its Spanish tile roof and interior stairways, forced a well-coordinated transition to defensive operations.
The fire was confined to the structure and extinguished in just 2 hours. There were no injuries.
Structural loss from the fire is still being tabulated, while the cause of the blaze remains under active investigation. This house has been reported to be owned by Will Rogers, the actor.
