(Nov. 1, 2006) -- LB firefighters responded rapidly and knocked down two recent NLB fires, both of them quite dangerous.

Would you like to walk up those stairs? LB firefighters did. Photo credit: Chuck Madderom

LBFD kept the fires from spreading and injuring civilians...but one firefighter sustained first and second degree burns in battling the most recent blaze.

On October 30 at 7:57 a.m., LBFD responded to reports of an apartment fire in the 2600 block of 55th Way (west of Paramount Blvd.)

LBFD Public Information Officer Christopher Milburn says the "arriving Engine Company found heavy smoke and fire coming from the door and windows of a downstairs unit."

While the first engine made an interior attack (entering the burning structure to extinguish the fire minimizes the risk of spreading the fire deeper inside) and searched for victims, other fire companies entered the apartment units above the fire [!] to check for victims or extension of the fire.

"One of our concerns at this type of an incident is having the fire spread from the unit of origin to the rest of the structure," PIO Milburn said.

LB firefighters knocked the blaze down quickly before it spread to the rest of the building; there were no reported injuries.

"The occupants of the involved unit had been asleep, but one was awakened by a functioning smoke detector. She alerted the others, and they all escaped safely prior to the fire blocking their exit," PIO Milburn said.

Damage is estimated at roughl $60,000; the cause is under investigation.

Photo credit: LBFD

And on Nov. 1 at 11:22 a.m., LBFD responded to a house fire in the 4400 block of Falcon Ave.

LBFD Public Information Officer Chris Nash says the "fire started from some coals and ashes that were placed outside near some trashcans. Although these coals were thought to have been extinguished...they ignited surrounding combustibles and flames licked up the side of the house and into an attic vent. The result was a dangerous attic fire that could have consumed the entire house."

LBFD was on scene in four minutes...and was able keep the fire contained to one corner of the house.

One firefighter was injured in the blaze while conducting roof-venting operations. "Although wearing full protective gear, the inherent danger of firefighting was enough to cause first and second degree burns to his right hand, arm, and ear. The firefighter was immediately taken to Memorial Hospital for stabilization, and then transferred to the burn unit at Torrance Memorial Hospital. A full recovery is expected," PIO Nash says.

The Red Cross was on-scene shortly thereafter and will assist the family of three as needed.