10-11-20 | 9:15 p.m.
443 S Soto Street
LAFD responded to a reported structure fire on Soto St. Crews arrived to locate a vacant three story Hospital. Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on the third floor. Crews were initially engaged in a transitional attack but had to quickly go defensive on the fire due to unsafe conditions inside of the structure.Firefighters used several Ladder Pipes and Wagon Batteries to drown the flames.
"Structure Fire; INC#1232; 09:15PM; 443 S Soto St; Boyle Heights; Heavy fire showing from the 3rd floor of a vacant (former) hospital. Firefighters initially entered the structure. Finding no patients inside, firefighters have withdrawn to engage in defensive mode. This is now a Greater Alarm incident. Firefighters are using master streams (ladder pipe/portable monitor/large hand lines) and making good progress against the fire. 85 LAFD firefighters extinguished the blaze, that consumed a significant portion of a three-story vacant hospital, in 63 minutes. Firefighters conducted a rapid interior search in the early stages and found no patients inside. Crews withdrew and engaged in a defensive attack for the remainder of the fight. Firefighters conducted a secondary search after the fire was out, finding no patients. No reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation" - Nicholas Prange LAFD
