GREEN SHEET

Los Angeles Fire Department

Informational Summary Report of Serious LAFD Injuries, Illnesses,
Accidents and Near-Miss Incidents

FIREFIGHTER INJURY
SOLANO AVENUE VEHICLE FIRE

January 9, 2011

This report is intended as a safety and training tool, and aid to preventing future
occurrences and to inform interested parties. Because it is published on a short
time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revisions as further
investigation is conducted and additional information is developed.
Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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Summary
On January 9, 2011, at approximately 2118 hours, a Los Angeles Fire
Department Captain was injured while fighting a vehicle fire in the 600 block of
West Solano Avenue in Fire Station 1’s first-in district. During firefighting
operations, an explosion occurred resulting in the Captain sustaining serious
injuries. The Captain was treated and transported to a local hospital and
released on January 14, 2011. The Captain is projected to remain off duty for
approximately 2 months.

Incident Overview
On January 9, 2011 at approximately 2103 hours, Los Angeles Fire Department
Operations Control Dispatch (OCD) received a mobile 911 call of a vehicle fire
visible from Arroyo Seco Parkway. At 2104 hours, Engine 1 was dispatched to
an auto fire at 546 West Solano Avenue.

The injured Captain and the Firefighter assigned as the hydrant member (FF #2)
were not normally assigned to Engine 1. They were pool placement due to the
Modified Coverage Plan (MCP).

At 2110 hours, Engine 1 arrived on scene and found a 2000 Chevrolet Impala,
fully involved with fire, on Solano Avenue underneath the southbound lanes of
the Arroyo Seco Parkway.

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January 9, 2011
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Engine 1 firefighters implemented their standard operating procedures for an

auto fire. The nozzle member (FF #1) deployed a 1-1/2” hose line to attack the
fire. FF #2 deployed and stood by with a dry chemical extinguisher. The
Engineer positioned the apparatus for safety and operated the engine pump and
provided water from the tank. The Captain supervised the two Firefighters.

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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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During fire attack, FF#1 was flowing water through the driver side window and
encountered difficulty extinguishing the fire in the interior of the automobile. The
Captain and FF#1 recognized small white flames flickering from the driver side
area, possibly indicating combustible metals. This alerted the Captain to direct
FF #1 to back away for safety. During this time a fuel leak occurred causing a
fuel fire on the ground. The Captain directed FF#1 to put down the 1-1/2” hose
and obtain Aqueous Film Forming Form (AFFF) to mitigate the fuel fire on the
ground. FF#1 left the area to retrieve a five-gallon container of AFFF, and FF #2
went to the front of the car and attempted to force open the hood of the engine
compartment. FF #2 was fully suited up in his PPE with his SCBA donned and
on air.

As the Firefighters were performing their tasks, the Captain discharged the dry
chemical extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the fuel fire. The Captain then
applied the dry chemical agent inside the auto and obtained a knock down of the
flames.

The Captain then noticed that the fire inside of the passenger area had re-
ignited. At this time, he picked up the 1-1/2” nozzle and approached the driver
side window of the vehicle and directed a water stream onto the dashboard area,
starting from the passenger side and sweeping toward the steering wheel. As
the water stream made contact with the steering wheel component, without any
indication or warning, a large bright explosion occurred.

The violent explosion knocked the Captain backwards approximately 10 feet,

knocking off his helmet and resulting in him hitting the back of his head on the
pavement. FF #2, standing at the front of the vehicle, was knocked backwards
approximately 5 feet, but was un-injured. FF #2 was fully encapsulated and on
air.

Immediately after the explosion, the Firefighters and Engineer assigned to

Engine 1 pulled the Captain toward Engine 1 and initiated medical care. At
2124 hours, the Engineer notified OCDS on dispatch Channel 7 and put out a
“Emergency Traffic, Firefighter Down”, and immediately requested appropriate
resources.

Rescue Ambulance 20 arrived on scene and initiated ALS treatment including full
spinal precautions. The Captain was transported to a nearby local trauma center
via ground transportation.

During post incident interviews the Captain stated that he remembered the white
blast/explosion and the next thing he remembered, were the doctors in the
hospital working on him. He could not remember hitting the ground, being
treated, or transported to the hospital.

The Captain was wearing a helmet, turnout coat, turnout pants and turnout boots;
however, he was not wearing firefighting gloves, a firefighting hood or SCBA.
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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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The LAFD Arson-Counter Terrorism Section and the LAPD Bomb Squad
conducted the cause-determination investigation with a focus on determining the
cause of the explosion. No explosive or incendiary devices were found in the
vehicle. The vehicle air bags did not deploy during the fire and were
subsequently rendered safe by investigators.

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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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All other causes for the explosion have been ruled out, leaving the likely cause
as water application directly onto molten combustible metals known to be part of
the vehicle’s interior construction.

Cause of the fire has been ruled incendiary, and is currently being investigated.

Conditions

The 2000 Chevrolet Impala is a product of General Motors Company. According

to the Automotive Manufacturing and Automotive Materials Partnership, dated
June 1997, “Magnesium use Rising”, starting in 1997, the average North
American-built family vehicle contains 5 or 6 pounds of magnesium die castings,
and the most popular applications include steering column components, steering
wheel armatures, instrument panel (IP) supports, steering column supports,
transfer cases, engine valve and rocker arm covers, pedal support brackets,
transmission stators, radio amplifier housings, and seat components.

GM’s use of magnesium parts is expanding the fastest of any of the domestic
automakers. GM vehicles have been using magnesium due to its abundance,
strength, and to reduce vehicle weight, since the 1990’s.

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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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Injuries/Damages
The Captain sustained a fractured skull with a cerebral bleed, non-life threatening
internal injuries and a small partial thickness burn to his right hand. No
apparatus damage was sustained.
.
Weather

Weather at the time of the incident was clear. Weather was not a factor.

Direct Cause:
1. Explosion from the reaction of water contacting molten combustible metals
during firefighting operations on a well-involved vehicle fire.

Contributing Cause(s) to Injury:

1. Displacement of the Captain’s helmet due to the force/reaction of the
explosion resulted in the Captain’s head striking the ground, contributing to
the severity of his injuries.

The investigation was unable to determine whether the chinstrap of the

Captain’s helmet was secured to his chin. The Captain’s head injury may
have been avoided if the helmet had remained on his head.

2. Failure to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment; i.e., lack of

firefighting gloves resulted in a burn to the Captain’s right palm.

3. Failure to switch from an offensive mode to a defensive mode once the

determination had been made that combustible metals were involved.

Initially, the Captain took appropriate actions after recognizing the possibility
of combustible metals were involved with fire. During the firefighting
operation, the Captain witnessed small, bright white flickers of flames. The
Captain repositioned FF#1 back to a safe distance from the vehicle, but
subsequently the Captain returned to a close distance for extinguishment.

Safety Issues For Mandatory Review

All members shall, when required to wear helmets, wear them securely fastened
to their head.

Training Bulletin No. 145, Combustible Metals, will be revised to include the
following items. All Officers shall review these items with members under their
command:

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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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1. Extreme caution should be exercised when approaching a vehicle fire. All

members must assess and gain situational awareness. If possible, obtain the
make, model and year of the vehicle’s manufacture. It is not uncommon for
well-involved interior fires on newer vehicles to have combustible metals
involved. Observe burning characteristics for signs of metal involvement.
Extreme caution should be utilized on initial application of water from a safe
distance with full protective equipment in place. In all cases, if a reaction is
observed cease water application.

2. All members must recognize the fire behavior of burning combustible metals;
color of the smoke and flames, intensity of the fire, and unusual popping
sounds within the fire. If combustible metals are suspected, protect
exposures and allow the metals to burn out prior to attempting further
extinguishment. The greatest potential for molten product is in the interior
components of the vehicle; this can result in severe reactions and explosions
as the smaller components are much more prone to melting and becoming
involved in the fire versus larger components of metal such as engine blocks
and wheels.

3. If a determination is made that the fire cannot be allowed to safely burn out;
remote heavy streams can be considered if appropriate safety
precautions are taken. Consideration should be given to potential impacts
due to the explosion potential of the molten product, and the potential for
projectiles from the explosion impacting personnel and/or bystanders.

Training Bulletin No. 5, Auto Fires, will be revised to include the following items.
All Officers shall review these items with members under their command:

1. All personnel responding to and working at all vehicle fires shall wear the
following minimum PPE:
• Turnout coat
• Turnout pants
• Helmet
• Firefighting Hood (fully deployed when SCBA face piece worn).
• Firefighting Gloves (during Firefighting operations)
• Eye protection (goggles, safety glasses, SCBA face piece) shall be
worn anytime a member is involved in potential eye injury tasks.

2. All personnel staffing/operating a hose line, dry chemical

extinguisher or performing forcible entry shall don an SCBA face
piece and be connected to air during all vehicle firefighting and
overhaul operations.

3. All personnel shall don an SCBA face piece and be connected to air
when operating in the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
(IDLH) area. The IDLH is any area/location where exposure is likely to

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Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire
January 9, 2011
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cause death, immediate injury, or delayed permanent adverse health

effects or prevent escape.

4. The Company Commander shall wear an SCBA at all vehicle fires,

and shall don an SCBA face piece and be connected to air when
operating in the IDLH.

5. The Company Commander has an obligation to provide for the safety of

all personnel on scene. This shall include requiring personnel to wear
SCBA, including face piece, at any time they deem necessary.

All members shall review and document formal training on Training Bulletin No.
145, Combustible Metals, and the Combustible Metals Power Point. This training
shall be recorded in each member’s PRB and on the F-393 (code 11FR).

Incidental Issues – Lessons Learned

All Officers shall review Department SOG’s for auto fires and need to be aware of
the recent incidents involving combustible metals.

All Officers shall review this Green Sheet with their command and document this
training in each member’s PRB and on the F-393 training records. The F-393
Code for the Solano Avenue Vehicle Fire Green Sheet is 42AF.