Man killed in downtown LA high-rise apartment fire

A fire in the seventh floor of an apartment unit in downtown Los Angeles left one person dead early Tuesday. Multiple residents of the high-rise apartment complex said the fire alarms did not go off. They said they did not realize they needed to evacuate until they saw smoke and heard others yelling. Firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene at 5th and Main streets at around 2:27 a.m. Debris and trash were seen on the street corner outside the apartment building after firefighters worked to put out the flames in the unit. “I didn’t hear a fire alarm, for some reason it was delayed. It wasn’t as it should have been,” one resident said. According to the Public Information Officer with the LAFD, this will be part of their investigation.

NBC4/LAFD

Photos by Henry Berkson

2025 Los Angeles 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

A 23-ton nearly 22-foot tall steel column at the Los Angeles Fire Department training center, once part of the lobby structure from the World Trade Center in New York, served as a fitting backdrop for scores of Los Angeles civic and community leaders and special guests, who gathered on September 11, 2025 for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

LAFD

2025 IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial

The 38th IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The IAFF will add fallen firefighters from the United States and Canada to the Wall of Honor. The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, honors the sacrifice made by IAFF members who have given their lives in the line of duty. The annual ceremony remains an uplifting service for families, friends, and loved ones, celebrating the lives, heroism, and accomplishments of our union’s bravest of the brave.

2025 LAFD Honorees:

Jerry Brakeman

Don Forrest

Justin Curtis

IAFF

Los Angeles crews to clear brush after fires at Sepulveda Basin

Los Angeles city crews began clearing brush at the Sepulveda Basin on Monday as fires continue to plague the area. Some residents expressed cautious optimism about seeing the brush clearance after they raised concerns about the constant fires during a public safety meeting in late August. "It's a step in the right direction, but nowhere near where we need to be," resident Adam Wright said. During the late-August meeting, the Los Angeles Fire Department said firefighters responded to 254 fires at the Sepulveda Basin through the first 240 days of the year. LAFD said it responded to 11 fires in the week following the meeting. "The fires are not starting on their own," Wright said.

CBS

Suicide Prevention & Awareness

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. To help bring attention to this important topic, the California Fire Service Behavioral Health Task Force – composed of California Professional Firefighters, Cal Chiefs, Cal OES and the and the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee – is calling on all California fire departments to participate in a Suicide Prevention & Awareness Safety Stand Down throughout September, to set aside time to conduct exercises and initiate a conversation on mental wellness. Preventing suicide in the fire service starts with every one of us checking in on our own, having uncomfortable conversations, and recognizing the strength in vulnerability. We must unite as a fire service to address this challenge—the lives and health of our firefighters depend on it. Throughout September, let’s work together to support our brothers and sisters.

Healing Our Own

Barricade suspect sets house on fire in Mission Hills

An arson suspect is in custody after barricading himself inside a Mission Hills home and allegedly setting it on fire Friday morning. Police and firefighters responded to the home on the 15500 block of West Lemarsh Street just after 6:30 a.m. Moderate smoke was found coming from the home when crews arrived, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated. Sky5 was over the scene shortly before 7:30 a.m., where firefighters had successfully extinguished the blaze. A man was also seen being placed into the back of a police cruiser.

KTLA5

Woman critically burned in mattress fire at Los Angeles apartment

A 38-year-old woman was taken to a burn center in critical condition after a mattress caught fire in an apartment on Los Angeles’ Westside early Friday morning. Los Angeles firefighters were sent to the two-story apartment building on the 10300 block of West Bellwood Avenue in Century City around 5:45 a.m. Smoke was seen coming from a second-floor unit as crews arrived, the L.A. Fire Department stated in a news alert.

KTLA5

Los Angeles Firefighters Tame Blaze in West Hills Home, Prevent Injuries

Early this morning, a fire erupted at a residence in West Hills, as reported by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze began in a 1,900 square-foot, single-story home on 22024 W Napa St. According to the LAFD alert, the fire was well-involved with the home's attached garage, where two automobiles were kept. The incident, designated as incident number 0217, was first reported at 5:13 a.m. The structure, which included a one-story home and its garage, was significantly ablaze when firefighters arrived. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated that the house was built in 1960 and the flames had spread to concealed spaces within the attic. In a subsequent announcement, the LAFD revealed that 49 firefighters worked to access, confine, and extinguish the persistent flames. The coordinated firefighting efforts resulted in a knockdown of the fire by 5:51 AM, taking 38 minutes from start to finish; the quick response and effective management of the scene prevented any injuries.

Hoodline

Multiple Cars Catch Fire in Sun Valley

An RV caught fire Saturday, exposing multiple vehicles and high-tension wires to flames in a neighborhood in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles. The fire was reported about 9:20 p.m. Saturday at San Fernando Road and Art Street, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz. Helicopter video from KCAL 9 showed the flames spreading from the well-involved RV to the wires and other vehicles at what appeared to be a storage lot, but firefighters had the flames out at 9:37 p.m. The LAFD notified the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power that lines were down, Lantz said. One resident near the fire was evaluated by paramedics for smoke inhalation, she said.

MyNewsLA/KCAL

Paramedics Assess Two People at Hollywood Hills House Fire

Firefighters knocked down a fire Sunday on the second floor of a two-story home in the Hollywood Hills, where paramedics assessed two people for injuries. Firefighters dispatched at 9:14 a.m. Sunday to 6311 W. Innsdale Drive had the fire out within 21 minutes of their arrival, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. “The two patients rescued from the home are being assessed/treated by firefighter/paramedics and their conditions are unknown at this time,” the LAFD’s Margaret Stewart said.

MyNewsLA

Smoke pours from Northridge apartment window during fire

A fire sent smoke billowing out of an apartment window in Northridge early Friday morning. The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. in the 19000 block of West Parthenia Street, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an alert. Video from the scene showed a second-story unit in the two-story building was burning, sending a thick column of smoke out of the unit’s window. The fire was ultimately extinguished in less than 15 minutes, though the occupants of the apartment were displaced.

KTLA5

Firefighters Quell Outside Fire Threatening Building in East Hollywood

Firefighters Saturday knocked down an outside fire threatening a two-story commercial building in East Hollywood, authorities said. Firefighters were dispatched at 7:21 a.m. to 600 N. Vermont Ave., the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.

MyNewsLA

Truck carrying used cooking oil bursts into flames on 5 Freeway

Los Angeles Fire Department crews rushed to the 5 Freeway in Arleta on Sunday morning after a truck carrying used cooking oil caught fire. LAFD stated that the cab portion of the tractor-trailer, which had pulled off to the side of the road, caught fire around 8:30 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway. When firefighters arrived, they found the trailer of the truck well-involved with flames. The driver was able to escape safely and was not injured.

KTLA5

Firefighters Quench Smoky Fire in KTown House

Firefighters put out an attic fire Saturday in a boarded-up Koreatown house. The fire was reported at 7:18 p.m. Saturday at 4005 W. First St., east of Normandie Avenue, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz. Light smoke was showing when firefighters arrived, but they followed it to the flames in the attic, Lantz said. The fire was out at 7:31 p.m. with no injuries reported, she said.

MyNewsLA

Photo by Gary Apodaca

Los Angeles Firefighters Extinguish Silver Lake Commercial Building Blaze in Under 40 Minutes

Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department swiftly contained and extinguished a structure fire at a vacant commercial building in Silver Lake, showcasing the department's ability to quickly mobilize and tackle emergencies. The incident, reported as INC#1012, occurred at 1:13 PM yesterday at 629 N Imogen Avenue. Upon arrival, fire crews saw flames showing from the building, which was threatening a row of adjacent commercial units, prompting the request for three additional task forces. LAFD's initial alert stated the firefighters were "in the offensive mode and defending the exposed buildings". The response involved over 50 firefighters who, in a concerted effort, managed to knock down the fire in about 36 minutes.

Hoodline

LAFD Extinguishes Fire at Koreatown Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Fire erupted in a Koreatown apartment building, sending plumes of smoke ascending from its penthouse area last evening. According to a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) alert, the blaze broke out at approximately 7:13 PM at the 400 S Hobart Blvd address, involving a four-story garden-style building. The fire was initially seen showing from the rooftop structure, typically used for roof access and described as a "non livable structure," before it extended into the residential units below on the third floor, as per the LAFD. Engaged in an offensive mode, firefighters from the LAFD tackled the flames, determined to contain the spread. Salvage operations were also quickly performed to protect the units beneath from further water and smoke damage. After a concerted effort, the LAFD successfully knocked down the fire in about 36 minutes. The department dispatched 35 firefighters to the scene, who were able to bring the situation under control, as detailed in a follow-up LAFD alert.

Hoodline

LAFD Extinguishes Fire in Downtown LA Recycling Yard; No Injuries Reported

Firefighters responded promptly to a structure fire reported on September 16th, inside a Downtown recycling yard located at 2201 E Washington Bl. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) released a report stating that initial sightings of moderate smoke arose from a "large (approx 200' x 200') metal clad building," as noted in the initial LAFD alert. Crews arrived on the scene at around 6:04 PM and requested additional resources to engage in an offensive attack against the fire.

Hoodline

Fire Damages Attic in Single-Story East Hollywood Home

An outside fire extended into and damaged an attic at a one-story home in East Hollywood, authorities said Sunday. Firefighters dispatched at 1 p.m. Sunday to 1515 N. Winona Blvd. had the fire out within 28 minutes of their arrival, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. No injuries were reported.

MyNewsLA

LAFD Quickly Extinguishes Quarter-Acre Grass Fire on Harbor Freeway in San Pedro

Los Angeles firefighters responded quickly to a grass fire yesterday on the northbound Harbor Freeway at Gaffey Street, as reported by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze, which started at approximately 3:34 PM near the off-ramp, burned about a quarter-acre of light grass before LAFD units could surround and extinguish it. According to the department's alert, congestion was an immediate concern, with fire operations expected to disrupt traffic in a major San Pedro transportation hub. Motorists were advised to expect delays while the personnel worked to not only put out the fire but also meticulously mop up and overhaul the site. The process was estimated to take roughly 45 minutes, with no injuries reported during the incident.

Hoodline

Los Angeles Firefighters Swiftly Control Grass Fire Along 101 Freeway in Boyle Heights

A grass fire that briefly ignited alongside the northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway in Boyle Heights was swiftly brought under control by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel earlier today. According to a LAFD alert, the incident initially reported as a rubbish fire around 12:14 pm necessitated an escalation to a grass fire status, prompting additional fire companies to respond to the scene. The fire, which erupted near one of LA's busy thoroughfares, threatened to disrupt traffic, with concerns of freeway slowdowns and possible lane closures due to the fire's proximity to the 101 freeway, as per the LAFD alert.

Hoodline

7 people hospitalized after fiery crash in Downtown LA

Seven people were hospitalized overnight following a fiery car crash in downtown Los Angeles. The crash was reported just before 3 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Grand Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. For reasons unknown, one driver struck another vehicle, which prompted a pedestrian in the area to be hit. Due to the impact, a pickup truck involved in the crash became fully engulfed in flames. First responders were able to extinguish the blaze and tend to those who were injured. Five people were in the two vehicles that crashed and the pedestrian was on the street, according to LAPD. A seventh person was also taken to the hospital with injuries unrelated to the incident, police said. Two women in their early 20s were in critical condition, a 49-year-old man was in serious condition and three other people were described as being in fair condition. The severity of the injuries of the seventh person was unclear.

NBC4

6 injured in multi-car crash in North Hollywood

Six people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday morning. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the crash was reported at the intersection of Vineland Avenue and Vanowen Street around 6:40 a.m. SkyFOX was over the crash scene where one vehicle was seen on top of another and a second on its roof. Officials said one of the vehicles required a "quick door pop" to get a person out. At least three vehicles were involved in the crash, which prompted the closure of the nearby train tracks and briefly affected Metro service. That train which was stopped for safety reasons was allowed to continue once the tracks were clear. Five of the people injured were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and one person declined to be transported to the hospital by LAFD.

Fox11

Crews rescue injured man trapped in Boyle Heights manhole after 15-foot fall

Emergency crews rescued a man who fell about 15 feet into a manhole in Boyle Heights on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the man, described as about 30 years old, became trapped underground near 1172 S. Boyle Avenue around 1:20 p.m. Because of the man’s location, firefighters upgraded the call to a confined space rescue, a specialized operation that required hazardous materials teams to monitor the air and Urban Search and Rescue crews to hoist him out.

KTLA5

Man drowns after jumping into ocean; body pulled to shore in Venice

Authorities confirmed they’ve recovered the body of a man who drowned Sunday morning off the coast of Venice near Marina del Rey Harbor. The Los Angeles Fire Department said crews responded just after 8:30 a.m. to the 6500 block of Ocean Front Walk, where witnesses reported seeing someone jump into the water and not return. Los Angeles County lifeguards located the man, believed to be about 50 years old, roughly 30 yards from where he entered the channel. Video recorded at the scene shows emergency crews working together to recover the drowning victim in Venice.

KTLA5

1 killed, 1 hospitalized after crash on 405 Freeway in West L.A.

One person has died and another has been taken to a hospital following a two-car collision Friday afternoon on the southbound 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles, authorities said. The crash happened just after 2 p.m. near the Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Video from Sky5 showed California Highway Patrol officers blocking the Sepulveda Boulevard off-ramp as traffic continued along the freeway. Officials stated that the ramp is expected to remain closed for an extended period during the investigation.

KTLA5

Deadly crash shuts down northbound 5 Freeway near Griffith Park for hours

All lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway were shut down for hours following a fiery and deadly crash in the Griffith Park area Wednesday morning. The crash was reported shortly after 3 a.m. near the 134 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. Details about what led up to the two-car collision were not available, but one person was trapped in a car that caught fire. That person died at the scene.

ABC7

Graphic footage shows group helping bloodied man out of Reseda car wreck

A man was hospitalized in critical condition after bystanders helped pull him out of a grisly car wreck in Reseda on Tuesday afternoon, officials say. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the two-car rollover just after 1 p.m. near 18900 W. Parthenia St. Footage obtained by KTLA showed two damaged vehicles — one was a white SUV with significant front-end damage, and the other seemed to be a white or gray pickup truck on its side, with a clear indentation on its passenger side.

KTLA5

California Wildfires Map

Track wildfire origins, perimeters and air pollution with the L.A. Times California wildfires map.

LA Times

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988

Events

UFLAC joins our Brothers & Sisters from Alameda Firefighters - IAFF Local 689 in mourning the loss of Brother Doug Clifton. He and his wife were on the way to Colorado Springs, CO to attend the IAFF's Fallen Firefighter Memorial when they were tragically killed in an accident. 

Grateful Dead fans mourn Bay Area couple killed in Utah motorcycle crash

Grateful Dead fans across the country are mourning the loss of two beloved members of their community after a crash in Utah killed Doug Clifton and Kathy Velez Katz. The couple, both longtime fixtures in the Deadhead scene, were riding a BMW motorcycle Monday afternoon when a box truck crossed into their lane on Highway 50 near mile marker 136, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. Clifton, 69, and Katz, 70, were killed on impact. The truck’s driver sustained minor injuries. Authorities said speed and drowsy driving are suspected factors. The highway was partially closed for five hours as troopers investigated. Friends remembered the pair not just for their devotion to music but also for their generosity and warmth. “These were two of the best people ever to walk the planet, they were the model of kindness, always generous, and willing to help others,” one post from the Deadheadland fan community read. Katz, a nurse, had come out of retirement during the pandemic to care for patients. Clifton, a retired firefighter, was well known at Bay Area shows for his humor and photography.

SF Chronicle

Firefighter III

Donald J. McMillan

Deceased: 9/3/2025

Appointed: 6/30/1969

Assignment: FS 88

Retired: 7/5/1999

Firefighter III

William D. Dillon

Deceased: 8/30/2025

Appointed: 3/10/1962

Assignment: OCD

Retired: 5/12/1996

Battalion Chief

Lawrence A. King

Deceased: 8/23/2025

Appointed: 9/1/1962

Assignment: Employee Relations

Retired: 5/28/1995

Captain I

Ralph W. Kosche

Deceased: 8/19/2025

Appointed: 4/1/1957

Assignment: FS 106

Retired: 3/8/1990

Captain I

Ronald J. Hooker

Deceased: 8/17/2025

Appointed: 1/2/1962

Assignment: FS 24

Retired: 8/28/1988

Firefighter III

Gail M. Martin Jr.

Deceased: 8/17/2025

Appointed: 8/10/1980

Assignment: FS 73

Retired: 4/28/2012

Helicopter Pilot III

Patrick G. Quinn

Deceased: 8/16/2025

Appointed: 11/24/1962

Assignment: Air Operations

Retired: 7/23/1995

Captain II

Richard J. Balzano

Deceased: 8/11/2025

Appointed: 6/17/1952

Assignment: FS 58

Retired: 12/20/1990

Fire Inspector II

Reynaldo E. Lopez

Deceased: 8/10/2025

Appointed: 2/27/1950

Assignment: Institutions Section

Retired: 5/1/1977

Engineer

Bob McFarland

Deceased: 8/8/2025

Appointed: 6/16/1953

Assignment: FS 5

Retired: 6/29/1980

Firefighter III

Brian E. White

Deceased: 7/22/2025

Appointed: 7/24/1965

Assignment: Fire Safety Education Unit

Retired: 8/28/1999

Fire Inspector I

Kevin A. Patrick

Deceased: 7/12/2025

Appointed: 5/13/1972

Assignment: Valley Public Assemblage

Retired: 8/16/1998