Arcadia firemen warned local residents to be particularly concerned with fire dangers in the wake of a garage fire that did $40,000 damage at 231 Carolwood Drive, threatening nearby homes and brush-covered hillsides.
The Fire Department has a new, green $150,000 fire engine on loan from the California Office of Emergency Services. It is specially equipped to handle large brush fires.
An apartment fire caused the death of a 7-year-old boy despite the efforts of bystanders. The boy's mother and sister escaped injuries. The fire apparently started with a Christmas tree.
Arson is suspected in a $150,000 fire that gutted a brand new office building at 411 South First Avenue on September 11. The building housed the law offices of Pike, Wilson and Cosso.
New roofs and additions or alterations involving 50% of the total square footage of the roof must conform to Class A standards for buildings in hazardous fire areas, the foothill areas. Home owners in non-hazardous fire areas will be allowed use of either Class A or Class B roofing materials. In addition, alterations or repairs involving 25% or less of a roof area may use any existing material. The Council gave final approval by a three to one vote. (See 1603AN for correction.)
Correction of article of July 6, 1982: The Council actually voted to refer the ordinance back to the City Attorney to include the latest recommendations made by Fire Chief Jerry Gardner. He will return the amended ordinance to the Council at their next meeting.
Ordinance governing roofs given first reading by City Council Tuesday night. Following second reading and 30-day waiting period, Arcadians who construct new roofs will be required to use specific fire-retardant materials.
Don's Chevron Station at the southwest corner of Duarte Road and Second Avenue was demolished by fire. Owner Don Shepherd was attempting to repair a leaking gas tank on a station wagon when a light broke and ignited the gasoline. Damage was estimated at $200,000.
The much-discussed ordinance governing types of roofs that can be used in Arcadia will be given a second reading at council meeting of August 17 and become effective 30 days later. Ordinance divides city into two zones: hazardous fire area in foothills and non-hazardous in lowlands.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has passed an ordinance lifting a 25-year-old ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages at County botanical gardens, including the Arboretum in Arcadia.
The 76 members of the Arcadia Fire Department raised $14,521 for victims of the Bay Area earthquake by giving up one shift of paid vacation time each. The money will be donated to Santa Cruz County through the Arcadia chapter of the American Red Cross.
Supervisors listen to protests over prison site. Five sites, including the Owl Landfill in Irwindale, have been recommended by the county-wide Criminal Justice Committee.
Don Alcorn, a 20-year veteran of the Arcadia Police Department, has been named to the new post of Emergency Services Coordinator by the Arcadia City Council. Alcorn's job is to prepare an emergency plan that will cover any aspect of any possible disaster, from earthquake to fire to nuclear disaster.
Arcadia will no longer permit wood roofs for new construction and replacement throughout the city. The City Council has restricted all new roofing to Class A. Final vote was 3-2, with Councilmen David Hannah and Dick Haltom against the ban on wood roofs and Mayor Don Pellegrino joining Councilman Jeff Dring and Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Lojeski on the winning side.