It took 89 firefighters just under 2 hours to extinguish a greater alarm fire at this large five story home despite a multitude of challenges and brush area.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified at 5:03 a.m. on May 17, 2017, of a structure fire at 842 N. Las Casas Ave. in Pacific Palisades. Firefighters quickly arrived to find heavy fire showing from this 3,000 square-foot hillside home.  Crews advanced hose lines in and around the home to protect the neighboring structures and the brush area behind it, keeping the fire from spreading despite the challenges found in this hilly residential area.  

One adult male occupant awoke to sounds of breaking glass and was in imminent danger, but he was able to quickly exit the burning home. The house had functioning smoke alarms and thankfully, there were no injuries to either civilians or firefighters.

Per protocol, LAFD Arson investigators were called to the scene and the cause of the fire remains under active investigation.

This fire happened just blocks away from another house fire on Las Casas Place approximately one month ago. While arson investigators continue to search for a cause and have not determined anything suspicious, both homes were under some form of construction and remodeling at the time of the blazes.

Paints, varnishes and rags were found on both properties and it’s important to remember that regardless of the cause of these two fires that oil-based paint and stain rags can self-ignite.  Firefighters would like to remind you to never leave cleaning rags in a pile and after hanging them to dry, place them in a large metal container with a tight cover and placed in a cool area. For more information, go to NFPA.org.