With 3 helicopters circling overhead on the evening of December 10, there was bound to be something happening. Arriving at Palms, east of Lincoln, it turned out to be a two alarm fire. The Beachhead, first on the scene, discovered that this was the second fire at the same address in just as many months.

 (While) “There is nothing suspicious,” says Battalion Chief Boyd of LA Fire Department Battalion 4, “because of there being a second fire in so short a time, the arson squad would be investigating. The first fire was not arson,” Chief Boyd was quick to point out.

However, it is interesting to note that the same building had been scheduled for demolition the following day. This proved fortunate as no one was injured or killed in the blaze.

One suggestion to the cause came from a witness who preferred to remain anonymous saying that it was the wiring. This is a possibility as another witness noted that the owners were known for doing their own repairs.

Venice’s own Engine 63 participated in putting the fire out in just 15 minutes, which prevented it from spreading further to the neighboring houses. Bravo to a job well done.

–Mark Lipman