ENGINE 8 RESPONDS TO BALBOA
THE NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE
The earthquake severely shook our station, located in the northwest portion of the city. The cast-iron stove in the kitchen was thrown upside down in the middle of the kitchen, and we believed at that time that the station was in danger of collapse.
With some delay, Company 8 managed to exit the station. It went into the Earthquake Mode, in accordance with LAFD policy. We attempted to contact the commander of Battalion 15. but the radio was jammed with radio transmissions from other companies.
We began our predetermined drivethrough of our first-in district. We observed and recorded several condominium buildings adjacent to the station in a partial-collapse condition. After checking these buildings out, we discovered that the occupants had successfully self-evacuated.
We also observed numerous fire hydrants lying in the street. The quake was so severe that the hydrants had been snapped off at the flange. It was obvious that the mains also had ruptured and there was no water.
Looking eastward, I could see a large “loom up” and responded in that direction. On arrival, we encountered a large fire with flame lengths of 100 feet into the air. The lire was a result of a 20-inch natural gas line rupture on Balboa Boulevard. In addition, a large water main parallel to the gas main also was ruptured. Water from this main flooded the street, making it difficult to negotiate in the area. The condition of the street raised concerns that the street might collapse, so 1 decided not to spot in this area.
I directed the company to check the east side of the fire, where two dwellings already were burning. 1 tested several hydrants in the area and found them to be dry. The wind was from the northeast at approximately 20 mph; therefore, 1 decided to try to stop the fire on the west side of Balboa Boulevard, where several dwellings also were burning.
During a survey of the area, I located a swimming pool in the rear yard of an adjacent dwelling. I spotted our apparatus at the rear of this dwelling in the alley west of Balboa Boulevard. We placed a 114-inch siphon ejector in the pool and stretched a supply line to the apparatus. The water from this pool supplemented the water in the tank of our apparatus.
I directed several 1 /- and 1 ½-inch handlines around the exposed dwelling adjacent to the well-involved dwellings. With the judicious use of water, we prevented further spread of the fire in this area.
During this operation, I communicated with Captain Peter McHugh of Engine Company 18. who had gone into operation on the northwest side of the fire and was involved in a similar operation in that location. Engine Company 74 had arrived and was in operation on the east side of Balboa Boulevard. These three engine companies successfully prevented the fires from developing into a conflagration in the area.
During the course of operations, I contacted Battalion 15, giving a status report and requesting additional assistance. Battalion 15 reported that no additional companies were available at the time.
The fire from the ruptured gas main still was burning, forcing flames high into the air. The three engine companies remained at the scene until personnel from the Southern California Gas Company arrived; after some time, the gas leak was stopped and the fire extinguished.
Engine Company 8 then was immediately dispatched to another incident. After completion of several incidents. Battalion 15 directed Engine Companies 8 and 18 to remain in their districts instead of returning to the command post.
We remained in our district and assisted many civilians with problems such as shutting off gas meters.
