Firefighters Honored for Heroism in Valley Village Blaze

The firefighters who doused a Valley Village apartment blaze Feb. 13 were thanked by city officials Tuesday for their quick life-saving efforts.

The fire tore through a four-story complex in the 5200 block of Bellingham Ave. at around 10 a.m. and was knocked down in 83 minutes. Ladder rescues saved those who lived the closest to the blaze's origin.

Other than reports of smoke inhalation, no one was seriously hurt.

"It was a remarkable result that no one in this fire was seriously injured or killed," said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian as he addressed his colleagues at City Hall.

Also appreciated was the work firefighters contributed after the last flames were put out. Crews monitored the site for more than 24 hours for any other potential fire starters and aided in finding temporary housing for 75 displaced tenants, Krekorian said.

"It was a tremendous, tremendous team effort," he said, adding: " I just thought it was important that we recognize this great example of the kind of heroism, that kind of skill, the kind of extraordinary performance that our fire department makes us so proud of every single day."

Check out the accompanying YouTube clip for more of what the councilman had to say.

For photos and videos of the Feb. 13 fire in Valley Village, click here.