Second Fire in One Month Destroys South L.A. Tire Shop

The second fire in one month at a South L.A. automotive tire store destroyed the family owned business early Thursday morning.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was alerted by the first of several 9-1-1 calls at 3:28 AM on August 29, 2024, reporting a structure fire at 6901 South Vermont Avenue, in the Vermont-Slauson area.

LAFD responders arrived quickly to find fire through the roof of a 75' x 100' one-story tire store, and immediately began a defensive firefight against towering flames, as additional firefighters were requested to battle what became a greater alarm fire.

It took the well-coordinated effort of 80 Los Angeles Fire Department responders under the command of Battalion Chief Joseph Angiuli, ninety minutes to contain and extinguish the bulk of intense and stubborn flames, which extended to involve a large volume of used tires in the businesses' storage yard.

Despite the inferno, a relentless effort by firefighters prevented flames from extending to an accessory dwelling unit at a residential property immediately to the west, allowing only thermal damage to the exterior of that building, and protecting the four adult residents from harm.

No injuries were reported.

Monetary loss to Vermont Tires is still being tabulated. The cause of the fire is considered suspicious, and remains under active investigation.

The business was also the site of an intentionally set outdoor fire in the predawn hours of August 2, 2024, that spread to a large number of used tires in outside storage. LAFD responders at that time were quickly notified, and protected the firm's building from being damaged by the blaze.

As the result of evidence and information gleaned from the first fire, an LAFD Arson Investigator was specifically assigned to the incident and neighborhood, and has been working closely with the business owner and members of the community for more than three weeks to identify the arsonists.

With this morning's greater alarm fire, that Investigator was immediately joined by two others from the LAFD Arson / Counter-Terrorism Section to expand and accelerate all aspects of the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding these fires is encouraged to contact the LAFD Arson / Counter-Terrorism Section by email at [email protected]

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