On Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 10:06 PM, thirty three Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, five LAFD Rescue Ambulances, one Arson Unit, two Urban Search and Rescue Units, one Hazardous Materials Team, three EMS Battalion Captains, five Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 336 S. Avenue 16 in the Chinatown/ Civic Center area.
First units arriving on scene reported a one story commercial building with smoke showing. Firefighters were able to begin an initial fire attack using handlines while additional companies conducted ventilation operations on the roof. Faced with deteriorating conditions, Firefighters were ordered to withdraw and take up defensive positions on the exterior of the building.
Over 200 Firefighters worked for 4 hours to gain control of the stubborn blaze. Firefighters used a combination of Class A foam and heavy stream appliances to knockdown the bulk of the fire and then re-entered the structure with handlines for final extinguishment. No civilian or Firefighter injuries were reported.
Fire loss is still being tabulated, while the cause of the fire remains under active investigation.
