Harbor IC (LAFD)
9/22/14: *Major Emergency Wharf Fire* 802 S Fries (Wilmington). Fire involved a wooden wharf structure in approximately 35 feet of water at Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals (Berth 177/178). This terminal is an omni-terminal handling a variety of cargo including steel products.
Boat 4 was on scene within 4 minutes of the alarm and reported smoke and fire showing from approximately 25 feet of the wharf and exposing the adjacent warehouse. At the time of alarm two break bulk carriers were located at concrete wharves north and south of the fire, MV Martha Pride (Berth 179) and MV Ultra Dynamic (Berth 174-176). Both ships were moved to allow for firefighting efforts. Nearly 1,000 dock workers were evacuated from the area. No injuries were reported.
The fire eventually involved approximately 800 feet of the wharf and burned under the terminal's 255,000 square foof transit shed (warehouse) at Berth 177. Per LAFD this extension under the warehouse caused "collapse of areas of the flooring and large coils of steel to fall to the water below." Firefighters on the Division A or north side of the warehouse performed a breaching operation with backhoes and other tools. All LA City Fire Boats and Long Beach "Challenger" and "Liberty" operated at this incident. LAFD divers also attempted attack via a float operation. The fire was extinguished approximately 32 hours after the time of alarm on Wednesday morning. Time of Alarm 1841 hrs (Monday).
This was the largest fire in the United States in 2014 in terms of direct property loss. It resulted in over $100 million in damage. The fire was reportedly started by a welder’s torch.
Read MoreBoat 4 was on scene within 4 minutes of the alarm and reported smoke and fire showing from approximately 25 feet of the wharf and exposing the adjacent warehouse. At the time of alarm two break bulk carriers were located at concrete wharves north and south of the fire, MV Martha Pride (Berth 179) and MV Ultra Dynamic (Berth 174-176). Both ships were moved to allow for firefighting efforts. Nearly 1,000 dock workers were evacuated from the area. No injuries were reported.
The fire eventually involved approximately 800 feet of the wharf and burned under the terminal's 255,000 square foof transit shed (warehouse) at Berth 177. Per LAFD this extension under the warehouse caused "collapse of areas of the flooring and large coils of steel to fall to the water below." Firefighters on the Division A or north side of the warehouse performed a breaching operation with backhoes and other tools. All LA City Fire Boats and Long Beach "Challenger" and "Liberty" operated at this incident. LAFD divers also attempted attack via a float operation. The fire was extinguished approximately 32 hours after the time of alarm on Wednesday morning. Time of Alarm 1841 hrs (Monday).
This was the largest fire in the United States in 2014 in terms of direct property loss. It resulted in over $100 million in damage. The fire was reportedly started by a welder’s torch.
