Fire Blotter: Wrong Way Driver Causes Head-on Collision

The Arcadia Fire Department responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of Jan. 20-26, 2013. The following is a breakdown of incident types recorded for this time period:

Fires: 5
EMS/Rescues: 59
Hazardous Materials: 6
Public Service Assistance: 7
Good Intent Calls: 7
False Alarms: 14
Total Incident Count: 98

Electrical Fire

At 9:53 a.m. on Jan. 20, Engine 106 and Truck 105 responded to a fire alarm in the 400 block of South Baldwin Avenue. Fire crews investigated an odor of electrical burning inside the building. Fire personnel utilized a thermal imaging camera to check for fire inside the walls. In addition, fire crews gained access to the roof of the structure to evaluate the ventilation equipment. Fire crews narrowed the source of the smell to the ventilation equipment on the roof. The equipment was shut off and building maintenance was advised.

Muriatic Acid Leak

At 1:07 p.m. on Jan. 21, Engine 107, Engine 106, Truck 105, Battalion 105, with units from Monrovia, Burbank, and Glendale Fire Departments, responded to investigate an unknown substance in the intersection of Arbolada Drive and San Carlos Road. Fire personnel discovered several 1-gallon buckets in the intersection leaking an unknown substance.

Fire personnel secured the area as Hazardous Materials Units tested the substance and determined it to be muriatic acid, a substance commonly found in pool cleaner. The haz mat units neutralized the acid; the material was bagged and taken to be stored in a hazardous waste bin at Arcadia Public Works. Los Angeles County Health Hazardous Material representatives authorized re-opening the intersection.

Medical Assist: Shortness of Breath

At 6:27 p.m. on Jan. 22, Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a medical assist in the 200 block of West Huntington Drive. Fire crews evaluated a man suffering from shortness of breath. Paramedics performed advanced life support measures on scene, including cardiac monitoring, establishing venous access, and oxygen therapy. The patient was transported to a local hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

Wrong-Way Driver Causes Head-On Collision

At 9:16 p.m. on Jan. 23, Engine 105, Engine 106, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, Rescue Ambulance 106, Battalion 105, with units from Monrovia Fire Department, responded to a traffic collision with rescue at the intersection of westbound West Huntington Drive and Centennial Way. Fire crews investigated a two-vehicle head-on collision caused by an alleged wrong way driver. The Jaws of Life were used to extricate one patient. Paramedics provided advanced life support to three patients, two in critical condition and one with minor injuries. All patients were transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center for further evaluation and treatment.

Trash Fire

At 5:37 p.m. on Jan. 24, Engine 105, Engine 106, Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, and Battalion 105, with units from Monrovia Fire, responded to the 100 block of West Norman Avenue for a reported structure fire. Fire crews discovered a trash fire in the front yard area of the property. Fire personnel extinguished, overhauled the fire and checked for extension to the structure. Cause of the fire was undetermined.

Single-Family Dwelling in Monrovia Consumed by Fire

At 3:29 p.m. on Jan. 25, Engine 106, Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, and Battalion 105, with Monrovia Fire units, responded to a structure fire in the City of Monrovia in the 500 block of North Fifth Avenue. Arcadia fire units were first on scene and reported a single-family dwelling fully involved in fire. Fire crews provided fire attack, conducted search and rescue for occupants, assisted with ventilation and assisted in the cause and origin investigation. Overhaul operations were a challenge
due to the hoarding nature of the occupant. The structure and its entire contents were a total loss. One Arcadia fire personnel sustained a minor injury.

Medical Assist: Neurological Weakness

At 12:03 a.m. on Jan. 26, Engine 107 and Rescue Ambulance 105 responded to a medical assist in the 1600 block of Perkins Drive. Fire personnel evaluated a man suffering from a local neurological weakness. The patient received advanced life support at the scene, including oxygen therapy, 12-lead cardiac monitoring, intravenous access, blood glucose monitoring, and drug therapy. The patient was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.