5 Alarm: An LAFD story

Worst Call Experienced

It was 7:45 in the morning on December 7th, 2017. Station 10 was called to the airport for a smoke alarm. I grabbed my gear on got it on and then got into Engine 10 as Rescue 10 and Truck 14 and Engine 321 all pulled out after I did and responded. I told dispatch: "Station 10 responding Code 3". Dispatch told me "10-4 Station 10, Stations 34 and 110 responding. LAX Fire department on scene with LAPD and Airport Police". "10-4 dispatch". We arrived on scene at terminal 3 which was where the call came from and all I noticed was smoke and flames. Turns out somebody detonated a device attached to a car after driving thr car into the terminal. I grabbed the main attack line off of Engine 10 and started to get to work on Extinguishing the flames. *12 minutes later* The fire has grown in 12 minutes and we have it only 2% under control at the moment. We evacuated Terminal 4 and 2 and called for Los Angeles County Fire Department so after 12 minutes LA county truck 231 and Engines 45 and 115 pulled up and got to work on putting the fire out. LAPD and CHP had all exits closed only Fire Trucks can enter and only Ambulances could leave no public access to LAX was allowed. So basically LAX was closed. *80 minutes have passed*. This is the worst call I have ever responded on. CrashRescue 1 and 2 are fighting the fire as well. While CrashRescue 3 and 4 were making sure the fire doesnt spread to nearby planes or helicopte3rd. The United States Coast Guard was alerted so they have their fire boat on scene. LAFD Fire Boat 1 and 2 are on scene. The Fire boats are here only to make sure no flames spread to other hangars or any buildings near the water. Tanker 112 has arrived and is supplying water to Engines 10,321,115,119,66, and 33. While the pumps are pumping water to the hoses and to the Tiller Ladder Trucks. Truck 14 is a Tiller Ladder Truck made by Pierce. We finally extinguished the flames at 10:45 pm. LAX Terminal 3 was a total loss. It completely burned to the ground. "Station 10 to dispatch" "Now returning to quarters". Dispatch replied "10-4, California state Fire Marshalls are on their way to investigate. We arrived back at quarters and reflected back onto what we could have done better for the next run. Which I hope wasnt going to happen again tonight. The next morning we had a meeting with the fire chief who brought a new truck. The unit number was Engine 16 and the first Tower ladder truck was to be housed here. Tower Ladder 10 was now housed with Engine 10, Engine 16, Engine 321, Truck 14, Battalion Chief 21, and Rescue 88 and Rescue 10 all at station 10. Which had three new truck bays built onto the station and the rest of the station was recently renovated for the Firefighters comdort as they are at the station and not out on a run. Station 10's Public open house is next week.