On Saturday, August 14, 2004 at 1251 Hours (12:51 PM PDT) five Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters and one LAFD Rescue Ambulance responded to a reported structure fire at 5716 North Jamieson Avenue in Encino. The first Company arrived quickly to report smoke showing from a one-story wood-frame and stucco single-family dwelling. Firefighters swiftly forced entry and using aggressive and well-coordinated firefighting tactics confined the fire to one of three bedrooms in the northeast corner of the 1,382 square foot home.
The flames were extinguished in less than 14 minutes. While there was no human injury within the 55 year-old structure, three small animals in the room of fire origin (apparently a rabbit, rat and lizard) succumbed to the smoky blaze. Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated.
The cause of the blaze is categorized as electrical, and is attributed to a terrarium heater system. When leaving the fire, there was a single vehicle accident near the scene, which caused traumatic injury to one Firefighter. Despite the combined efforts of Firefighters, Paramedics and Hospital Emergency Department personnel, the Firefighter was declared deceased at Tarzana Hospital.
As dictated by Fire Department policy, a formal and detailed multi-agency investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and manner of the Firefighters death. The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss. The latest information regarding this incident, as well as details regarding memorial services will be offered via the LAFD website.
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