Fire Station 8 and Fire Station 7 were two L.A. County fire stations located in a fairly small area (which included the Sunset Strip) in the middle of L.A. City (the West L.A. area). A large structure fire in Station 8 and Station 7's area was a lot to handle with only 1 ladder truck and 2 pumpers. Additional support from other L.A. County fire stations was a long way off. This is where the Mutual Aid pact that the City and County of Los Angeles formed was important, as the LAFD (The City of L.A. Fire Dept.) had more resources closer by. One of the largest building fires I ever saw happened on July 3rd, 1958, only a mile east of Station 8, at the Samuel Goldwyn studios, as the largest movie sound stage at the time burned down, with all the sets and costumes for the movie "Porgy & Bess" inside. The fire started around 4:00 AM, and because I was living only about 3 blocks away, I heard this big horn going off, emanating from the studio. I jumped out of bed and made it down to the studio just as Fire Station 8 got there, with Station 7 close behind. This building was a full block long, a half a block wide, and about 6 stories high, and it was roaring. I was standing next to Ladder Truck 8 when it came to a stop and heard the Captain yell into the phone to alert the LAFD for Mutual Aid. This fire burned for the rest of the morning and on into that day before it was out... Not much left by the next day...
It’s interesting how childhood experiences do shape who we are. My one grandpa was one of six with a widowed mother in west Texas Oklahoma during the depression. Very poor. Worked hard, eventually bought a 56 bel air hardtop, nice home, died with money in the bank- in his mind was alway poor. Side note - hated hotrods and rock n roll! Was not mechanical at all. My Other grandpa one of two with a windowed mother in minot ND during the depression but the family had had money during the late 1800’s. Was technically very poor. But he said They where not poor, they “just didn’t have any money.” Retired from the rail road, nice house cool cars. Died with money in the bank. Was never poor. Didn’t like hotrods but Liked factory hotrods. had many Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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