**From Drew Gresik:**
I just arrived at the scene of the fire on the 2300 block of South California Avenue. The building involved is a vacant two-and-a-half-story wooden-frame structure. Firefighters initially launched an offensive attack, but as the situation worsened, operations shifted to a defensive strategy—around the time these photos were taken. Tower 5 was relocated to Sector 1, while Squad 1’s aerial ladder was coordinating with a master stream operation in Sector 2. Based on what I saw, the fire seemed to be concentrated in the attic or second floor. Flames weren’t visible yet, but there was a significant amount of thick smoke billowing out.
The firefighters were doing their best under challenging conditions. It's always tough when you have an older building like this, especially one that hasn't been maintained. I snapped a few images to capture the intensity of the situation.
Here’s a quick summary of what I observed:
- **Building Type**: Vacant, two-and-a-half story wooden frame.
- **Fire Location**: Attic or second floor.
- **Operations**: Initially offensive, then transitioned to defensive mode.
- **Equipment**: Tower 5 in Sector 1 and Squad 1’s Snorkel with a master stream in Sector 2.
I’ll keep monitoring the situation and update if anything changes.
**Photos by Drew Gresik**
---
*Below are some of the images I took during the incident:*
Caption: Smoke billowing from the upper floors as firefighters work to contain the blaze.
Caption: Aerial equipment deployed in Sector 2 to assist with extinguishing the fire.
Caption: Firefighters focused on securing the perimeter and preventing further spread.
Caption: Tower 5 positioned in Sector 1, providing critical support.
Caption: The heavy smoke made visibility difficult for crews inside the building.
Caption: Firefighters assessing the structural integrity before making any further moves.
Caption: Squad 1’s Snorkel operating in coordination with other units to manage the fire.
---
Stay safe, everyone. This kind of situation reminds us how dangerous firefighting can be. I'll post more updates if needed.
**Drew Gresik**