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Los Angeles Fire Department
Historical Archive


In Memory of
Firefighter III/Paramedic Glenn L. Allen
Engine Company 97
A Platoon
Appointed July7, 1974
Died February 18, 2011
Structure Fire
February 16, 2011
Ceiling collapse in single family residence.

1546 N. Viewsite Drive


Firefighter III/Paramedic Glenn L. Allen


 

ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE                   08:04:22  02/17/11 -- PAGE 1

S P E C I A L  N O T I CE

ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011, AT 2319 HOURS, DEPARTMENT RESOURCES RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE IN A SPLIT LEVEL 6000 SQUARE FOOT SINGLE FAMILY IN THE HILLS OF FIRE STATION 41'S DISTRICT, INCIDENT 1344, AT 1546 N. VIEWSITE DR.

DURING FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS AN "EMERGENCY TRAFFIC' WAS DECLARED AS A RESULT OF AN INTERIOR CEILING COLLAPSE WITH REPORTS OF FIREFIGHERS TRAPPED. THREE OF OUR LAFD MEMBERS WERE RESCUED FROM THE DEBRIS INCLUDING ONE REQUIRING PHYSICAL EXTRICATION.

CAPTAIN I EDWARD WATTERS, FIRE STATION 41A, AND FIREFIGHTRER PARAMEDIC THOMAS SLACK, FIRE STATION 97A WERE TREATED AND RELEASED WITH MINOR INJURY.

A FOURTH MEMBER WAS ADMITTED IN EXTREME CRITICAL CONDITION.  THE FAMILY HAS ASKED THAT THE NAME BE WITHHELD AT THIS TIME.  DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES, NO CALLS OR VISITORS PLEASE

 

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION
 

 

 



ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE                   14:55:57  02/18/11 -- PAGE 1

D E A T H   N O T I CE

                             LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT

NAME:                     GLENN L. ALLEN

RANK:                      FIREFIGHTER III/PARAMEDIC

STATUS:                   ACTIVE DUTY

DECEASED:             FEBRUARY 18, 2011

AT:                             LOS ANGELES, CA

APPOINTED:           JULY 7, 1974

FROM:                     FIRE STATION 97 "A"

CAUSE:                    LINE OF DUTY - INJURIES SUSTAINED WHILE                                          BATTALING A STRUCTURE FIRE

FUNERAL:               FUNERAL SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE
SERVICES               YET TO BE DETERMINED.  ADDITIONAL
                                 INFORMATION WILL FOLOW AS IT BECOMES
                                 AVAILABLE.
                              

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L.A. firefighter gravely injured,
others hurt while battling fire at Hollywood hills home
__________________________________________

Los Angeles Times
February 17, 2011 | 2:38 pm
By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times

Fire crews use a chain saw to cut their way to the injured firefighter, who was engulfed by debris when a ceiling collapsed. Water collecting from a damaged sprinkler line may have caused the structure to fail.

A home sprinkler system intended to save lives may instead have turned a burning Hollywood Hills home into a death trap for firefighters, one of whom was clinging to life Thursday after the sprinklers apparently led to a ceiling collapse.

After a call at 11:19 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles firefighters arrived at the home in the 1500 block of North Viewsite Drive to find the house, set against a steep hillside along a narrow winding road, ablaze.

More than 80 firefighters went to the scene. Some scrambled onto the roof; others ran inside. Two occupants of the home escaped unharmed.

Unknown to the firefighters, a fire suppression sprinkler line broke or melted, and water was collecting above the well-sealed drop ceiling. A substantial section of the ceiling and everything attached to it crashed down.

"We were doing our normal aggressive things that we do," said Capt. Tina Haro, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. "It was just one of those kind of freak things that happen that we don't expect or anticipate."

Debris engulfed a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Rescuers used a chainsaw to cut their way through to him. When they reached their colleague, he wasn't breathing and was in full cardiac arrest. They began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, then rushed him to nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was listed in grave condition.

At the request of the man's wife, his name is being withheld. Colleagues said he had talked of retiring within the next year or so. One Fire Department employee said the man was looking forward to the birth this month of his first grandchild.

A second firefighter was hospitalized with a broken ankle. Four others — two from the city Fire Department and two from the county department — were treated for minor injuries and released.

According to public records, the property sold in 2008 for nearly $7.1 million. The top floor of the refashioned house opens to the street; two other levels descend down the hillside. One fire official said the residents had moved into the home about a week ago.

Investigators sifting through debris Thursday morning said the fire may have started in a fireplace, then spread to the walls and ceiling areas, Haro said.

The possible source of the fire and the role of the sprinklers have raised questions about the home's design and construction, which are under investigation, said David Lara, a spokesman for the city's building and safety department.

He couldn't confirm Thursday whether the city had mandated a sprinkler system, which is sometimes required in a large home or those on hillsides with difficult access.

A woman at the scene, who declined to give her name, described herself as the girlfriend of property owner Gerhard Becker. She said Becker, an architect, designed the rebuilt house. The two were asleep when the fire broke out, she said. City inspectors had just approved a certificate of occupancy days ago, she added.

Becker declined to be interviewed.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Times staff writer Irfan Khan contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times--February 17, 2011


Firefighter dies of injuries in Hollywood fire


__________________________________________

Los Angeles Times
February 18, 2011 | 2:38 pm

A firefighter gravely injured in a Hollywood Hills house fire Thursday died of his injuries Friday, Los Angeles fire officials said.

Debris engulfed Glenn Allen, a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Rescuers used a chainsaw to cut their way through to him.

When they reached their colleague, Allen wasn't breathing and was in full cardiac arrest. They began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, then rushed him to nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was listed in grave condition.

Colleagues said Allen had talked of retiring within the next year or so. One Fire Department employee said he was looking forward to the birth this month of his first grandchild.

"The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss," the department said in a statement. "The Allen Family and the Los Angeles Fire Department has received a tremendous outpouring of support during this difficult time. Your Firefighters wish to thank you and express our deepest appreciation for all the kind words and gestures that have been provided."

Los Angeles Times--February 18, 2011

 


Structure Fire
February 26, 2011
Fireground Audio



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