On August 4, 2004, at 1733 hours, Los Angeles firefighters responded to the reported structure fire at a Sav-On drug store in the Arleta area of Los Angeles.
First arriving Engine 98 reported a large, one story "Drug Store" with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the building and appeared the fire was in the attic.
In all, 30 companies of Los Angeles firefighters, 10 rescue ambulances, 6 Battalion Chief officer command teams, 4 EMS Battalion Captains and one Assistant Chief under the direction of Deputy Chief Jimmy Hill, responded to the fire.
Firefighters, initially using large stream handlines, encountered heavy fire conditions inside and were forced to retreat and go into a master stream, defensive attack on the fire.
It took 2 hours and 35 minutes to control the blaze.
One fire captain sustained a knee injury and was transported to a local hospital, and another firefighter was treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.
Cause of the blaze is undetermined at this time and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.
The store was open for business at the time of the fire.
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