Major Los Angeles Structure Fire Causes $3.8 Million in Damages

On Friday, September 19, 2003, at 11:22 PM, 23 companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 Chief Officer Command Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains and 6 Rescue Ambulances, under the direction of Deputy Department Commander Mario Rueda, responded to a major emergency structure fire at 16107 Victory Boulevard in the Lake Balboa/West Van Nuys area.

First units on scene reported a 150' x 150' two-story market with heavy fire showing.

Firefighters using handlines and aided by heavy streams confined the fire to the Carniceia Vallarta market and extinguished the fire in 2 hours and 7 minutes.

Four firefighters suffered minor injuries and/or burns and were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and further treatment.

Loss from the fire was estimated at $3,800,800. The cause of the fire was determined as electrical.