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       #Post#: 295--------------------------------------------------
       LAFD  25 YEARS AGO...LIBRARY FIRE
       By: wolfie Date: May 1, 2011, 9:14 am
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       25 Years Ago Today: No Fiction at LA's Central Library
       Each time a member of your Los Angeles Fire Department walks
       into the magnificent Los Angeles Central Library, they take
       reverent pause to consider how easily it could all be gone - all
       of it - but for the work of more than 350 of their Brothers and
       Sisters who gave their utmost twenty-five years ago today.
       The next time you visit the Central Library, hopefully for a
       free public tour, along with the magnificent art and
       architecture, we hope you'll take a moment to view the plaque on
       the north wall just inside the Library's Flower Street entrance.
       There you will find the names of every firefighter described in
       this official correspondence...
       "On the morning of April 29, 1986, one of the most challenging
       structure fires in the history of the Los Angeles Fire
       Department occurred at the Los Angeles Central Library, 630 West
       5th Street.
       Extinguishing this blaze required sixty fire companies, nine
       rescue ambulances, two helicopters, forty command officers and
       support personnel, a complement of over 350 Firefighters and
       Paramedics, and assistance from virtually every element of the
       Department.
       Extinguishing this blaze was accomplished by the maximum
       commitment of bravery, courage, and determination to succeed by
       all those 350 members.
       The members of this department performed beyond the expectations
       of many and through their combined efforts defied the
       predictions that this fire could not be extinguished short of a
       total loss.
       Those members assigned on the historic Central Library Fire
       have, by their actions, set a new mark for the reputation of the
       Los Angeles City Fire Department by limiting the potential of a
       $160 million loss to $22 million in structure and contents fire
       damage.
       These members are to be commended for their bravery, courage,
       determination and outstanding effort in controlling the loss to
       this precious resource of the City of Los Angeles."
       DONALD O. MANNING
       Chief Engineer and General Manager
       Los Angeles City Fire Department
       Yes, twenty-five years ago today, on April 29,1986, the mammoth
       Los Angeles Central Library was ablaze. Before the fire was
       extinguished, 7 hours and 38 minutes had passed as the men and
       women of LAFD battled one of the most remarkable structure fires
       in American history.
       Approximately 45% of the on-duty Fire Department resources were
       committed to the fire. Fifty Fire Department members were
       treated for injuries with twenty-eight members requiring
       transport to medical facilities. Amazingly, there were no deaths
       or critical injuries and only one minor civilian injury.
       To read, in chronological order, the amazing events that took
       place from the receipt of the alarm at 10:52 AM until "Knock
       Down" of the flames at 6:30 PM, please click on the link below:
       LAFD Report on the Central Library Fire of April 29, 1986
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