405Fire

405Fire

The fire at 550 E. 32nd St. as seen from the southbound lanes near the 405 Freeway. Photo courtesy of Tara Jones.

Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) firefighters were called upon to extinguish two separate structure fires today, one along the 4th St. Corridor at the border of Alamitos Beach and North Alamitos Beach and another near the 405 Freeway at the Atlantic Ave. exit.

At 3:26AM, LBFD was called to the area surrounding 4th and Bonito Ave., where both the Long Beach Maytag Appliance Center (967 E. 4th) and Bond’s (965 E. 4th St.) were ablaze. Engine 2 arrived first, with four more engines, three trucks, two paramedic units, and two battalions arriving on scene to assist.

According to LBFD representative Jake Heflin, the Bond’s building sustained the most significant damage, and three firefighters were injured during the blaze. One was treated and released on scene for minor burns, while two other firefighters developed burns later in the day—a common occurrence according to Heflin. Blisters and swelling developed on two of the firefighters’ ears, with one firefighters being taken into the hospital.

405-fire-1Additionally, two dogs were trapped during the fire, leading to the death of one and the other being taken in by Animal Care Services.

At 1:47PM, drivers on the 405 near the Atlantic Ave. exit noticed massive plumes of smoke rising from a building to the south of the freeway.

Engine 7 arrived to 550 E. 32nd St. to discover both the first and second floors of the home on fire. LBFD had to rotate multiple crews—eight engines, two trucks, three paramedic units, and two battalions—in order to suppress the fire.

Two firefighters were injured, with one being sent to the hospital for 2nd degree burns on the lower leg, while another twisted an ankle.

As salvage overhaul operations continue, arson units are investigating the scene.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Above, left: Flames from the structure fire at the 405 and Atlantic can be seen from the freeway. Photo courtesy of Sherwood Souzankari.