Fire Blotter: Bird Caught in Power Line Causes Outage

The responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of September 2-8. The following is a breakdown of incident types recorded for this period:

Fires: 2
EMS/Rescues: 55
Hazardous Materials: 3
Service Calls: 3
Good Intent Calls: 13
False Alarms: 5
Total Incident Count: 81

Traffic Collision

At 2:12 a.m. on Sept. 2, Engine 105 and Rescue Ambulance 105 responded to a single vehicle traffic collision with injuries in the intersection of Lenore and West Live Oak avenues. The vehicle went over the sidewalk and into a fence. The two occupants of the vehicle complained of head and neck pain. One patient had alaceration on his forehead. Paramedics placed both patients in full cerebral spinal precautions and transported them to the trauma center at Huntington Memorial Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Bird Causes Outage

At 7:28 a.m. on Sept. 3, Engine 105, Urban Search and Rescue 106, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105 and Battalion 105 — along with units from Monrovia, Pasadena, and South Pasadena Fire departments and the Hazardous Materials Units from Burbank and Glendale Fire Departments — responded to a reported explosion with smokein the 400 block of West Lemon Avenue.

It turns out, there was no explosion, but a bird had come into contact with high voltage power lines causing arcing wires, which resulted in a power outage. Southern California Edison was requested to respond to the location.

Medical Assist: Seizure

At 2:44 p.m. on Sept. 4, Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a medical assist in the 600 block of West Duarte Road. Fire personnel evaluated a woman who was suffering from an altered mental status after a seizure activity. The patient received advanced life support measures at the scene, including: oxygen therapy, 12-lead cardiac monitoring, intravenous access, blood glucose monitoring and drug therapy. The patient was transported to for further evaluation and treatment.

Tree Branch Downs Power Line, Sparks Outage

At 10:42 a.m. on Sept. 5, Engine 105 responded to a power line down in the 600 block of East Encino Court. Fire crews investigated the area and found a downed power line caused by a fallen tree branch. Arcadia Public Works and Southern California Edison assisted with the tree branch removal and restored power to the area.

Medical Assist: Chest Pains

At 12:06 p.m. on Sept. 6, Engine 105 and Rescue Ambulance 105 responded to a medical assist in the 400 block of East Santa Clara Street. Fire personnel evaluated a man suffering from chest pain with shortness of breath. The patient received advanced life support at the scene, including: oxygen therapy, 12-lead cardiac monitoring, intravenous access and drug therapy. The patient was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Food Left on Stove Causes Smoke

At 10:59 a.m. on Sept. 7, Engine 105, Engine 106, Engine 107, Truck 105, Monrovia Truck 101, Rescue Ambulance 105 and Battalion 105 responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of South Second Avenue. Fire crews arrived on scene and found light smoke coming from a condominium unit. Upon further investigation, it was determined the cause of the smoke was from food left unattended on a stove. Truck 105 personnel performed positive pressure ventilation and Engine 107 personnel utilized a thermal imaging camera to ensure the fire was confined to the cooking container. The structure was deemed safe and released to the occupant.

Medical Assist: Shortness of Breath

At 9:19 a.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a medical assist in the 500 block of West Duarte Road. Fire personnel evaluated a woman suffering from shortness of breath. The patient received advanced life support at the scene, including: oxygen therapy, 12-lead cardiac monitoring, intravenous access and drug therapy. The patient was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.