The Santa Monica Fire Department responds to approximately 11,000 calls over the course of a year, according to SMFD Cpt. Scott Ziegert. Tuesday night, August 22, the Department responded to a 7:43pm call on a fire in the condominium building at 924 5th St., between Idaho and Washington Avenues.
Firefighters contained the fire to the room of origin – a living room and closet. The cause is under investigation. There was heavy smoke damage throughout the entire condo unit, but there was no damage – even smoke damage – to the other units in the building. Two pet birds perished in the blaze.
Cpt. Ziegert reports that SMFD answers a fire call such as this one with three engine companies (vehicles, not “trucks,” with a crew of four each), one truck company (hook and ladder with a crew of five), a rescue ambulance (crew of two) and a battalion chief in his/her own sedan.
