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On Monday, January 1, 2007 at 2:42 AM, sixteen Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, four LAFD Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, one Urban Search and Rescue Unit, one Rehab Unit, one Hazardous Materials Team, two EMS Battalion Captains, three Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief Robert Rose responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8713 N. Topanga Canyon Bl. in Chatsworth.
Upon arrival, Firefighters discovered a two-story single-family home, from which, thick heavy smoke was billowing. As the structure was self-destructing, Firefighters took an aggressive stand in an effort to extinguish the fire, search the home for potential victims, and protect nearby homes from any damage. It took 110 Firefighters one-half hour to gain control of the fire and ensure that no residents were trapped within the house.
The house suffered extensive damage to both floors and the stairwell. During Firefighting operations it was noted that the only furniture contained within the home was a table, couch, and two beds.
While the home was definitely "Under-Furnished", it was by no means empty. The entire home was filled with Marijuana plants, in various stages of growth and production. The street value of the cultivated plants which were damaged, destroyed, and confiscated will be determined by local Law Enforcement Authorities.
Firefighters remained on scene for over 12 hours assisting LAPD with the investigation and scene management. One Firefighter was transported to Columbia West Hills Hospital and subsequently placed off duty with a knee and ankle injury. The cause of the fire is listed as electrical and the loss is estimated at $330,000 ($325,000 Structure and $5,000 Contents).
