A significant firefighting effort subdued a blaze that took hold of an apartment complex in Reseda on Monday. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the fire started at approximately 3:28 p.m. at 18325 W Vanowen St, manifesting as smoke rising from at least one unit of a two-story, large garden-style building.
The incident, referenced as INC#1230 by the LAFD, required the assistance of an additional task force to address the emergency in the Valley Bureau's jurisdiction, specifically Council District 4, as per the LAFD alert of the fire. It was aggressively attacked by 60 firefighters who managed to achieve a knockdown within 29 minutes, a fire had erupted in one unit and extended into the hallway, filling it with heavy smoke. Crews took action to protect occupants, directing those who were not in immediate danger to shelter in place until it was safe to evacuate the building further efforts were made to evaluate one patient not from the fire unit while firefighters conducted overhaul operations.
According to the update provided by LAFD, salvage operations are simultaneously being performed to protect residents' belongings from potential water and smoke damage, especially in the units situated below and adjacent to the affected area.
The firefighting teams, equipped with various tools and vehicles including E100, E27, and SQ87, among others, are still at the scene carrying out thorough inspections to ensure that no hot spots remain unaddressed. The LAFD is committed to meticulously checking affected walls for lingering threats and to preventing any potential re-ignition.
