Update

The CAL Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal Law Enforcement Investigators have issued a CRIME ALERT NOTIFICATION: to attempt to ID a Subject of Interest in Arson (see the attached flyer from the Fire agency)

Firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department were dispatched on November 11, 2023, around 0031 hours early morning to the area of Alameda Street and the I-10 freeway in the City Limits. It was determined by investigators to be that of arson originating on State of California property.

Information is given in the brochure as to where to call. DO NOT APPROACH THE SUBJECT.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog – Updated 11/19/2023 2100 PT

Published Sunday, November 12, 2023

LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles), California

Incident Summary

Firefighters with the Los Angeles City Fire Department were dispatched to a garbage fire in the 1700 block of East 14th Street in downtown Los Angeles just after midnight on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

First due arriving units reported a large fire in a 200′ x 200′ storage yard filled with pallets, trailers, and vehicles well-established fire in the building with multiple exposures. It was immediately upgraded to a structure fire response with additional requests for more resources.

Firefighters immediately established a water supply and fire suppression tactics which included heavy stream hand lines and ladder pipes. Winds would whip in the area, sending the heat and flames underneath the freeway and across the street to another second storage yard. This exposure too would explode and be engulfed with fire.

The incident would then be escalated to a Major Emergency incident bringing out 26 fire companies to the fire ground. This would take firefighters several hours battling on several fronts while facing multiple challenges including structure protection (commercial buildings), downed high tension wires, large amounts of water being used by surrounding fire hydrants, and pressure which the City Water Department helped increase during operations.

It was less than three hours before approximately 164 firefighters worked together on the fire ground to knock the bulk of the fire down.

The cause of the fire is under the leadership of the State Fire Marshal with the LAFD Arson section providing support as needed.

LAFD transitioned from control of the fire incident back over to Cal Trans District 7, due to the investigation of the freeway structural stability.

Emergency Declaration in Effect

State of California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to help facilitate the cleanup and repairs after the massive fire shut down the freeway and caused significant damage to the roadway.

Mayor Karen Bass with the City of Los Angeles directed all City Departments to immediately plan for how to address increased traffic due to the closure of the I-10 Freeway due to a massive fire underneath the roadway.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “I’m in contact with Mayor Bass, Gov. Newsom, and CA federal elected officials about the closures on I-10 in Los Angeles caused by fire damage and the impact it is having on traffic. Our Federal Highways administrator will be in LA tomorrow, and USDOT will help any way we can.”

(L) Photo Credit: LA City Firefighters

Massive Damage to Infrastructure

— Structural Integrity Questionable — Caltrans District 7 personnel were inspecting the serious damage to the roadway itself. Some were saying the fire was so hot that some of the elevated freeways may be somewhat weakened so vehicles may not be allowed on it until it is repaired.

— Major Roadway Damaged — This major fire has damaged an estimated 100 support pillars that hold up the roadway and some are saying that the roadway is due to be closed indefinitely while others were speculating it could be shut down for a minimum of 24 hours. We are guessing it is going to be much longer considering Fire Investigators need time to search for the cause, while structural engineers are checking out the damage to the structures’ integrity and other partners involved in this incident. It is going to be a long time before drivers are going to be allowed to drive on this most heavily traveled roadway.

— FD Pumper Destroyed — While the City of Los Angeles Fire Department was on the scene of this massive chaotic fire scene, Engine 17 was overrun by fire and their apparatus paid the ultimate price saving the lives of all of their firefighters.

Photo Credit: City of Los Angeles Firefighters

— LAFD Fire Chief Crowley is working diligently with City and State officials about the response and recovery efforts after this massive fire on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Updates here: emergency.lacity.gov and @ReadyLA.

ALERTS

— I-10 remains closed in #DTLA between Alameda St & the East LA interchange. Plan for extra time for your morning commute, work from home if you can, or take public transit. Check http://QuickMap.dot.ca.gov prior to leaving for your destination for road closures. (1955)

Photo Credit: Cal Trans District 7

— Traffic in and out of LA is being significantly impacted due to the closure of a portion of the 10 Freeway in Downtown LA. We’re adding extra cars and service along the San Bernardino Line. (1852)

— LA DOT Transit Commuter Express Routes to/from Downtown LA. Starting Monday, November 13, 2023, all routes are subject to be delayed and/or have potential reroutes due to the fire and the closure of the 10 Freeway. More info here: https://www.ladottransit.com/whatsnew/111223_h10.html

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog