Tag Archives: Fire

One Metallic Balloon Causes Headaches to Many Residents

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Burbank Police and Fire responded to the 1900 block of Ontario Street Saturday evening to a report of a possible explosion involving a power line and that a fence around Provdencia Elementary School was electrically charged.

Electrical Services Supervisor Michael Gibson, talks crews what caused the power disruption, prior to them repairing the situation. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Electrical Services Supervisor Michael Gibson talks to a crew about what caused the power disruption, prior to them repairing the situation. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Upon arrival they had found a ground wire laying by a power pole, and evidence that an explosion might have occurred from a high voltage line high above. Fire Fighters and Police Officers secured the neighborhood and surrounding streets and requested Water & Power.

The force of the explosion popped a cap on a nearby water pipe, requiring its repair.

Reports from Burbank citizens across Burbank through the @myBurbank Twitter feed reported lights flickering and surges in power, causing computers and electrical devices to reset. People with At&T service had problems with service in the following the surge.

A Burbank Firefighter stands by with a electrical probe checking for electrical currency. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A Burbank Firefighter stands by with a electrical probe checking for electrical currency. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Water & Power arrived on scene surveyed the area and deemed it to be safe. They reported the cause of the original problem a metallic balloon made contact with a 6.4 KV power line causing the balloon to explode and grounding the circuit.

 

 

Darken marks on electrical pole shows where a an electrical charge caused a surge after a balloon came in contact with a 64 KV charged line. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Darken marks on electrical pole shows where a an electrical charge caused a surge after a balloon came in contact with a 64 KV charged line. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The remains of a helium balloon, that caused power outage, city wide surge. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The remains of a metallic balloon, that caused power outage, city wide surge. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Water flows from a water line that was hit with electrical current during power surge. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Water flows from a water line that was hit with electrical current during power surge. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Electrical Services Supervisor Michael Gibson, explains to Capt. Jim Baldridge and Battalion Chief Jeff Howe what caused the electrical disruption. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Electrical Services Supervisor Michael Gibson, explains to Capt. Jim Baldridge and Battalion Chief Jeff Howe what caused the electrical disruption. ( Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Paralyzed Man In Wheelchair Hit In Crosswalk

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A man in a wheelchair ended up in the hospital and a suspected hit and run driver in jail, after an accident Monday night at Olive Ave. and Glenoaks Blvd.

Accorlding to Burbank Police, the accident occurred at 8:23 p.m. when the victim, an unidentified Burbank man who is a paraplegic, was crossing Glenoaks on Olive.  The 30 year-old victim, who was in his motorized wheelchair, was in the crosswalk.  The female driver of a white BMW who struck him, was eastbound on Olive, making a left turn onto northbound Glenoaks.

The driver, Irina Sarafyan, 38, of who resides in the Cabrini Villas in Sun Valley,  did not stop, according to police.  A citizen who witnessed the accident chased the suspect’s vehicle until the driver stopped.  She reportedly admitted “hitting something” to officers investigating the accident.

The impact knocked over the wheelchair and dumped the man onto the ground where he sustained abrasions to his right leg, shoulder, hand, and back of his head.  He complained of pain to his entire right side, and was treated at the scene by Burbank Fire Department paramedics before being transported by rescue ambulance to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

Sarafyan was placed under arrest for felony hit and run, and transported to the Burbank Jail.   She was released on $50,000 bail, and is due to appear in court on March 18.

The Burbank Police Department thanks the citizen who witnessed the accident and called police, according to Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

Stubborn Fire Has Plenty Of Firefighters Busy Hunting

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Burbank Fire Fighters were summoned to 225 S. Rose Street Friday afternoon for a reported fire somewhere in the walls of the apartment building, possibly near a chimney.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The complete assignment of Firefighters went to every floor looking for the source.

Firefighters using rotary saws, axes, and an inferred camera, finally located some charring in an exterior wall. The assignment which consisted of three engines companies, two truck companies, a rescue ambulance and a Battalion Chief.

After about a half an hour of breaking walls and wetting the area, the fire was considered ‘Knocked Down’ and Battalion Chief Eric Garcia started releasing equipment, so engines that had come to Burbank to man stations from nearby Glendale go return home.

Burbank Fire Fighters cut into the walls to extinguish a stubborn wall fire. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Fighters cut into the walls to extinguish a stubborn wall fire. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Damage estimate was not readily available, and the cause was being investigated by Burbank Arson Investigator.

Large Fire by Airport Damages Building

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Los Angeles City Firefighters fight a Greater Alarm fire at W.E.T. Designs, Over 100 firefighters took a little over an hour to get the blaze under control. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Los Angeles City Firefighters took a little over an hour to gain control and extinguish a fire at W.E.T. Designs in the 10800 block of Sherman Way on the north side of The Bob Hope Airport.

LAFD had 100 plus firefighters on scene around 3:00 am when the fire was reported. Bob Hope Airport Police assisted with traffic control on Sherman Way which was closed during the fire fight.

There were no injuries reported and LAFD Arson investigators were on scene to find the fires cause.

Los Angeles City Firefighters fight a Greater Alarm fire at W.E.T. Designs, Over 100 firefighters took a little over an hour to get the blaze under control. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Firefighters Quick Action Save Donut Shop From Becoming Well Done

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Burbank Firefighters work to extinguish a donut oven fire at Donut Hut on Magnolia Blvd and Keystone. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Fighters were summoned to Doughn-t Hut located at Magnolia Blvd. and Keystone Street around 10:16 pm not because they had a sweet tooth, but the fryer had caught fire, from collected grease.

Firefighters cleared the building of smoke and made sure the oven fire was totally extinguished.  Burbank Engine 14 remained on scene until Los Angeles County Health was contacted, as the business could not reopen till inspected.

There were no injuries, and unknown damage, but plenty of spoiled doughnuts.

Three-Alarm Fire Hits Burbank Business Early Friday Morning

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Burbank Firefighters were called at 3:28 am Friday morning, November 9, to a report of a structure fire near the corner of Victory and Manning.

Firefighters worked into the morning to knock down this blaze on Victory Blvd. (Photo By Craig Sherwood)

Burbank’s Engine 14 was first on scene and reported seeing flames in the building and the attack began.  A second-alarm was called at 3:39 am and finally a third-alarm was asked for and dispatched at 4:06 am.  In all, close to 60 firefighters from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena were all the scene to knock down the flames and protect the nearby businesses.

The business, Wholesale Giant, located at 4410 Victory Blvd. was a complete loss and firefighters did not achieve a knockdown of the flames until 7:07 am.

Firefighters tried to keep as much water on the fire as possible to control the blaze from spreading (Photo By Craig Sherwood)

The business advertised itself as a ‘Cash and Carry’ business featuring tobacco products.  During the heat of the battle, multiple large ‘popping’ sounds came from the business as small butane and propane lighters and supplied started to explode.

Reports at the scene were that the fire possibly started in the rear of the business although Burbank Fire Investigators were on scene and had yet to start their investigation into the cause.

Victory Blvd. remains closed Friday morning as clean-up operations would take several hours.

No injuries were reported to any firefighters.

 

 

The three-alarm fire took firefighters over three hours to knockdown. (Photo By Craig Sherwood)

Second Fire at Downtown News Stand Set By Unknown Suspect

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Burbank Fire Fighters were called to The Newspaper Stand located at 316 N. San Fernando Blvd. following a report of a building fire. Upon their arrival they found for the second time in less than two weeks, a suspicious fire caused by burning debris next to the front roll up door.

Burbank Fire Captain Mike McDonald looks at the damage caused after this most recent suspicious fire outside the Newspaper & Magazine stand at 316 San Fernando Blvd.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Fire fighters extinguished the fire and the owner of the business who was on scene commented that after the last fire he just replaced the metal door.

The investigation is continuing by Burbank’s Arson Investigator, and the Burbank Police Department.

Fire in Coverted Garage Kills Dog, Does Serious Damage

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A firefighters mans a hose as he looks for hot spots to put out (Photo By Nick Colbert)

At 8:03 P.M., Burbank Firefighters responded to a report of heavy smoke coming from the garage to the rear of 620 N Griffith Park Drive. Engine 15 was first on-scene and reported smoke showing to the rear of the address.  Upon making entry to the garage, a small flash-over occurred.

The garage, which was converted to a living area, was well involved with fire which also extended into the attic. Battalion Chief Eric Garcia was in command of the operations during the fire which took about 20 minutes to knockdown, mostly because of the stubborn fire in the attic.

Burbank firefighters responded in force to put out a fire in a garage that was converted into living quarters behind a residence in the Rancho area.   (Photo By Nick Colbert)

No firefighters or civilians were injured, but one dog perished in the blaze.  As a result Burbank Animal Control was called to the scene to assist with removal of the dog.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined but the estimated damage was $80,000 to the structure and $40,000 to its contents.

 

 

 

The interior of the garage was completely gutted after a flash fire enveloped the residence (Photo By Nick Colbert)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smoke From Apartment Fire Seen Throughout Burbank

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Fire spread from the first floor all the way to the roof (Photo By Nick Colbert)

Calls came from all around Burbank as residents saw smoke in the west sky.  It turned out to be a fire on the Los Angeles border as a two-story apartment complex caught fire on the corner of Clybourn and Edison.

It took 119 Los Angeles City Firefighters 43 minutes to put out the fire that started somewhere on the outside before moving to the first floor and finally into the attic and came through the roof.  Firefighters reported a partial roof collapse.

The LAFD reported that 13 family have been displaced by the fire and will be assisted by the Red Cross.  There were no injuries reported to residents or firefighters.

 

16 Year-Old Teenager Dies After Sparring At Burbank Boxing Gym

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Police investigating unusual death, awaiting coroner’s report.

 By Stan Lynch, Managing Editor
BurbankNBeyond

A teenaged boy is dead, and Burbank Police are investigating the unusual circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.  He has been identified as Raul Alvarez, Jr., 16, of North Hollywood.

Forensic Specialist Nancy Robles removes evidence under the watchful eye of Police Officer Blaine Shifley. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Verdugo Fire Dispatch received a call for medical assistance, and dispatched Engine 12 and Rescue Ambulance 15 to Pullman’s Gym, 4320 W. Magnolia Blvd. at 5:55 p.m.  Paramedics treated the 16 year-old boy at the scene and transported him to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center at 6:08 p.m.

Police officers were dispatched to the hospital and the gym at 6:45 p.m., when emergency room personnel alerted an officer at the hospital on an unrelated matter about the teen’s grave condition.  Initial reports were that the boy had been sparring with someone at the gym, and had received a blow to the face.   He died about an hour later at the hospital.

Forensic Specialist Nancy Robles removes evidence as Burbank Police Officer Blaine Shifley protects the scene. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

An investigation into Alvarez’s death is being conducted by the Burbank Police Department.   They determined that he was wear head and body protective gear while sparring.  He complained of pain after the sparring session, which prompted the call for paramedics.  The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

A sign on the front door of the gym

The gym, which is located in a store front in the Magnolia Park section of town, specializes in boxing.  Sparring, which is commonly used in boxing training as well as other martial arts, is a type of practice fighting in which blows are held back or not delivered with full force.

On Pullman Gym’s website, pictures show it is primarily used for boxing with a ring, numerous body and speed bags mounted for use.

Pullman’s Gym was contacted, but has not yet returned our call for comments.

Burbank Police Officer Blaine Shifley watches as Forensic Specialist Nancy Robles collects evidence. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)