HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to extinguish a fire at a building on July 13. It was reported that the LAFD was called at 9:00 a.m. to a structure fire coming from the Highland Plating Company located at 1001 N. Orange Dr. two blocks south of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Firefighters made an aggressive attempt to control the fire, but the heat and flames were too intense. Chemicals were flowing from the premises onto the streets; firefighters used sand, a large diameter hose and water streams from ladder trucks to prevent chemicals from reaching into the drains and causing further damage.

Witnesses said they could see heavy smoke coming from the building and could see the fire from as far as Hollywood Hills. Sections of the roof collapsed and firefighters transitioned to a defensive operation before making progress against the flames. Officials managed to save the business office and some of its contents.

 

The fire lasted for about two hours and it took nearly 150 firefighters under the command of Assistant Chief Timothy Manning to put out the blaze. During the blaze, a firefighter became greatly ill and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department spoke to Canyon News about the blaze. He indicated the condition of the firefighter is unknown.

 

Scott told Canyon News that firefighters remained on the scene for a number of days to constantly put out the reoccurring fire; he assured the public that the blaze has been put out and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

The estimated loss is $1.8 million which includes $800,000 for structure & $1 million for content contents.