LA Firefighter Alleges Misconduct in Extinguishing Lachman Fire
A Los Angeles firefighter recently provided shocking testimony in a lawsuit, asserting that the Lachman fire was not thoroughly handled before reigniting as the Palisades disaster. This fire subsequently caused severe property damage and claimed 12 lives. According to Scott Pike, a lack of diligence in the initial scene control led to the tragedy.
Mr. Pike stated he directly discovered at least five smoldering spots with temperatures so high that protective gloves could not touch them. When he used his boot to kick through the ash, he clearly saw layers of glowing embers still burning and heard crackling sounds from underground. This evidence indicates that the fire in high-risk wildfire areas had not actually been fully extinguished as previously stated in official reports.
Despite reporting the existence of "hot spots" and ash pits to his superiors and requesting a full re-examination of the scene, Pike's warnings were ignored. According to his testimony, the fire crew left while the fire was still active. This information is currently part of a lawsuit filed by Palisades victims against the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.
Just a few days later, on January 5, the Palisades fire erupted violently and razed thousands of homes in the coastal area. The blaze not only caused a significant loss of life but also destroyed critical infrastructure. Currently, city attorneys are seeking to keep documents related to Pike's testimony confidential to avoid further controversy.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) maintains that the Lachman fire was fully extinguished before January 2. The agency's final report does not mention much of the events Pike described. Notably, Pike stated he was never asked to contribute content or provide input for this crucial summary report.
The lawsuit is still being reviewed in court to clarify the responsibilities of the parties involved in fire prevention and control. The trial's outcome is expected to significantly impact fire response procedures in California in the future. The Vietnamese community in the United States is closely following this case due to the severity of the disaster.
