Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
At 1:12PM on June 19, 2025 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 215 E Winston Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The first arriving fire companies found a row of commercial buildings with smoke showing and initiated an offensive fire attack.
As firefighters made their way into the building, they encountered heavy storage conditions which hindered their ability to reach the seat of the fire towards the back of the building. Crews battled for over forty minutes, but the blaze extended into the adjoining structure and the intensity grew.
Due to deteriorating conditions and an unchecked fire, the incident commander, Assistant Chief Melford Beard, made the decision to transition to a defensive operation and deploy master streams.
Three hours into the incident, firefighters extinguished the bulk of the fire but due to remaining pockets of fire, official knockdown was not yet declared. The RS3 Robotic Firefighting Vehicle was deployed to reach the fire remaining in areas unsafe for firefighters to access.
Over 100 firefighters fought diligently and saved the surrounding businesses, achieving knockdown at 7:27PM. The fire was held to the building of origin (built in 1916) and the adjacent structure on the east side. Per protocol for a Major Emergency structure fire, LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) is conducting a cause investigation.
At 1:12PM on June 19, 2025 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 215 E Winston Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The first arriving fire companies found a row of commercial buildings with smoke showing and initiated an offensive fire attack.
As firefighters made their way into the building, they encountered heavy storage conditions which hindered their ability to reach the seat of the fire towards the back of the building. Crews battled for over forty minutes, but the blaze extended into the adjoining structure and the intensity grew.
Due to deteriorating conditions and an unchecked fire, the incident commander, Assistant Chief Melford Beard, made the decision to transition to a defensive operation and deploy master streams.
Three hours into the incident, firefighters extinguished the bulk of the fire but due to remaining pockets of fire, official knockdown was not yet declared. The RS3 Robotic Firefighting Vehicle was deployed to reach the fire remaining in areas unsafe for firefighters to access.
Over 100 firefighters fought diligently and saved the surrounding businesses, achieving knockdown at 7:27PM. The fire was held to the building of origin (built in 1916) and the adjacent structure on the east side. Per protocol for a Major Emergency structure fire, LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) is conducting a cause investigation.








![LAFD Foundation Valor Awards 2025 - Firefighter III Andrew Talley
[Video credit: LAFD Foundation / Valor Awards 2025]
Under the lights of Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation hosted its annual VALOR Awards on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, bringing together city leaders, corporate partners, and community members to recognize firefighters for their courage and service.
The 2025 ceremony opened with a VIP reception, giving guests the rare opportunity to meet LAFD personnel, view firefighting apparatus up close, and watch exclusive demonstrations highlighting the department’s life-saving capabilities. As the sun set over Chavez Ravine, attendees took their seats on the infield for dinner and the start of the evening’s formal program.
VALOR is the Foundation’s signature event, an annual tradition honoring men and women whose decisive actions, expert training, and selfless commitment have protected lives across and beyond Los Angeles. This year’s honorees were celebrated through a series of video presentations and personal stories, each underscoring the weight of the split-second decisions firefighters make on the city’s toughest days.
2025 Honorees
Medal of Merit:
Captain I Daniel Lievense
Engineer Matthew Lievense
Captain I Christopher Sebourn
Special Commendation:
Firefighter III Armen Chalian
Firefighter III Joseph Coleman
Firefighter III Kari Field
Firefighter III Darren Lloyd
Firefighter III Daniel Nakamura
Engineer David Roberts
Firefighter III Andrew Talley
Unit of the Year:
Critical Incident Planning & Training Section (CIPTS)
The annual VALOR Awards celebrate not only the heroism of individual firefighters, but also the vital role of the LAFD Foundation in empowering them, ensuring that our city’s first responders have the tools, technology, and support necessary to protect our city’s four million residents. LAFD Foundation Valor Awards 2025 - Firefighter III Andrew Talley](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iwUtGfT47Ug/mqdefault.jpg)

