March 28, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Eight Firefighters Injured in Venice Storage Area Fire:

Eight firefighters were injured battling the intense, 14-hour-plus fire at a storage facility in Venice that was finally put out just before 10 am yesterday.

The fire was declared out at 9:56 am, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters remained there, pumping out water, looking for hot spots and removing belongings and merchandise stored in the building, a few blocks east of Venice Beach.

The blaze was reported at 7:37 p.m. Saturday at Extra Space Storage, 658 Venice Blvd. Arriving firefighters found black smoke billowing from the two- story facility, Humphrey said. The bulk of active flame was controlled within six hours.

One firefighter suffered a back injury and heat blisters, and two were slightly burned. The other injuries were heat exhaustion, as the confined spaces, concrete walls, steel doors and metal ceilings confronted firefighters with blast oven-like heat in contained spaces.

Three of the firefighters required hospital care and were expected to be released late yesterday, Humphrey said.

Belongings locked behind steel doors in hundreds of upper-floor storage units were igniting due to the heat, forcing firefighters to use diamond-tipped rotary saws to open dozens of locked metal doors and cut through exterior stucco walls to allow horizontal ventilation, firefighters said.

“Firefighters battled until they were low on air and had to exit to get new air bottles, then rejoined the fight,” the LAFD’s Erik Scott said. 

“Continual waves of additional firefighters were repeatedly ordered.”

As the fire fight continued, Venice Boulevard remained closed to traffic between Abbott Kinney and Lincoln boulevards.

The building’s metal roof hampered vertical ventilation efforts and caused the fire to burn extremely hot, Scott said.

Late Saturday, firefighters took up a defensive posture, pouring water on the flames from outside the building, Scott said. More than 365 firefighters worked through the night battling the blaze.

“We do  not anticipate that business patrons will be able to safely access their private storage units until Monday,” Humphrey said.

Despite the difficult conditions, firefighters were able to hold direct fire damage to a third of the building’s rental storage units, he said.

People with items stored at the facility began showing up outside the business after dawn today.

One man told reporters at the scene that all of his antiques had been stored inside and another said he wasn’t holding out much hope recovering his belongings because they were stored in a part of the structure that sustained extensive damage.

in News
Related Posts

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...

Caltrans Extends Closure on Topanga Canyon Boulevard Due to Mud and Rockslide

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

PCH Closure on March 26 Adds to Local Road Closures, Seek Alternative Routes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has...

Animal Rights Groups Demand an End to Turtle Racing at Brennan’s Pub

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Organization Says Its Tried to Contact the Westside Bar for Months By Zach Armstrong Among its numerous entertainment events...

SMC Unveils Spring 2024 Issue of Acclaimed Literary Journal, Author Readings Coming in April

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

The Issue Presents a Mix of New, Returning, and Debut Writers, Reflecting Diversity and Enduring Relationships Santa Monica College announced...