 Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - More than 40 firefighters quenched a large blaze at a vacant dealership August 1. No injuries were reported in the fire that burned at 100 S. San Gabriel Blvd. Firefighters were dispatched to the location at 4:29 a.m., according to the San Gabriel Fire Department. Despite firefighters from Los Angeles County, Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Pasadena and San Marino aggressively attacking the flames, they had to retreat due to a roof collapse, according to the San Gabriel Fire Department.
“The incident commanders felt that all units that were on the roof and inside should exit the building,” according to Cpt. Antonio Negrete of the San Gabriel Fire Department. It took two hours to knock down flames. A fire investigator is determining the cause, Negrete told SGV CityWatch.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - Investigators have yet to determine a cause for a fire that gutted the historic San Gabriel Mission July 11. Investigators began to thoroughly comb through the destruction four days after the fire destroyed the entire roof and much of the interior of the nearly 250-year-old church. Engineers and structural specialists had to stabilize debris before allowing entrance, according to the City of San Gabriel. The Verdugo Arson Task Force, the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked together to investigate the fire, according to the City of San Gabriel.
It took firefighters more than two hours to knock down the massive blaze. Firefighters responded to investigate a fire alarm at the mission, 428 S. Mission Dr., at 4:24 a.m. July 11. Firefighters attempted to make an aggressive attack on the flames from inside of the mission, but falling debris forced firefighters to go into defensive mode, according to Captain Antonio Negrete of the San Gabriel Fire Department. No firefighters were injured. 50 firefighters and 12 fire companies from surrounding cities worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters declared the flames knocked down at 6:48 a.m., Negrete told SGV CityWatch. Federal Investigators Arrive To San Gabriel Mission To Search for Answers After Destructive Fire7/11/2020  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is joining the investigation into a fire that virtually destroyed the San Gabriel Mission Saturday.
Although a cause has yet to be determined, the preliminary investigation does not point to an immediate sign of arson, according to the city of San Gabriel in a written statement. It took firefighters more than two hours to knock down the massive blaze. “The roof is completely gone and it’s completely destroyed inside,” according to San Gabriel Fire Department Captain Antonio Negrete. Firefighters responded to investigate a fire alarm at the mission, 428 S. Mission Dr., at 4:24 a.m. July 11. Fire and smoke were immediately seen from the roof, Negrete told SGV CityWatch. Firefighters attempted to make an aggressive attack on the flames from inside of the mission, but falling debris forced firefighters to go into defensive mode, Negrete told SGV CityWatch. No firefighters were injured. 50 firefighters and 12 fire companies from surrounding cities worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters declared the flames knocked down at 6:48 a.m., Negrete told SGV CityWatch. Founded September 6, 1771, the mission was undergoing renovations recently to repair the nave walls and the pews were removed for refinishing and refurbishment, according to the San Gabriel Mission website. The current church structure was completed in 1805.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - It took firefighters more than two hours to knock down a massive blaze that caused widespread damage to the San Gabriel Mission early Saturday.
“The roof is completely gone and it’s completely destroyed inside,” according to San Gabriel Fire Department Captain Antonio Negrete. Firefighters responded to investigate a fire alarm at the mission, 428 S. Mission Dr., at 4:24 a.m. July 11. Fire and smoke were immediately seen from the roof, Negrete told SGV CityWatch. Firefighters attempted to make an aggressive attack on the flames from inside of the mission, but falling debris forced firefighters to go into defensive mode, Negrete told SGV CityWatch. No firefighters were injured. 50 firefighters and 12 fire companies from surrounding cities worked to extinguish the flames. Firefighters declared the flames knocked down at 6:48 a.m., Negrete told SGV CityWatch. The cause of the fire is still being determined. Investigators cannot enter the mission until it is deemed safe, Negrete told SGV CityWatch. It is unclear yet if the fire was suspicious in nature. Traffic is heavily affected in the Mission District area as firefighters and police remain on scene.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor BALDWIN PARK - A man driving a stolen vehicle crashed and ran from officers before being handcuffed Saturday morning, a San Gabriel Police sergeant said.
The suspect fled officers responding to a suspicious vehicle parked in the 800 block of East Hermosa Drive in San Gabriel around 2:17 a.m. The suspect eventually crashed near Arrow Highway and the 605 freeway, according to Sgt. Allen Sam of the San Gabriel Police Department. Officers discovered the vehicle was stolen after they arrived to Hermosa Drive. The suspect drove away before officers could contact him, Sam said. The suspect crashed on private property in Baldwin Park and ran before officers caught and arrested him. The suspect was briefly hospitalized to be medically cleared for booking in the Alhambra jail on suspicion of grand theft auto and recklessly evading police, Sam said. The vehicle was reported stolen November 16 by the Los Angeles Police Department, Sam said.  PHOTO/San Gabriel Fire Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - A baby boy was welcomed to the world Friday after San Gabriel firefighter paramedics helped deliver the baby. Firefighters were dispatched to an obstetricians 9-1-1 call before 9:30 a.m. and found a female inside a vehicle, giving birth. The baby’s head was presenting, according to the San Gabriel Fire Department.  PHOTO/San Gabriel Fire Department. Firefighter paramedics assisted in completing the birth. The father was present to cut the umbilical cord of his bouncing baby boy.
Assisting with the birth were Firefighter Paramedics Greg Fierro, Michael Reboleddo, Jordan Miller, Engineer Jacob Gustafson and Cpt. Eric Calisher.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - A DUI/driver license checkpoint is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. June 28, San Gabriel Police announced. The checkpoint will run somewhere within city limits until 3 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Officers posted at the checkpoint will be looking for signs of alcohol and drug impairment. Checkpoint locations are chosen based on collision statistics and the frequency of DUI crashes. Officers will also check for proper licensing, San Gabriel Police said.
“In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. Last year the San Gabriel Police Department investigated 33 DUI collisions which have resulted in 16 injuries,” San Gabriel Police said. Checkpoint funding was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - The suspect who caused two homes to burn and shot at San Gabriel officers died after being hit by gunfire Thursday afternoon. The suspect collapsed and died at the doorway to the rear of a home in the 2000 block of Brighton Street, hours after causing chaos and putting residents and authorities in peril. Lt. Rodney Moore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau confirmed the suspect was armed with a shotgun when he died. Moore said detectives apparently do not know if the suspect died by his own hand or by deputy gunfire. It is unclear how many deputies opened fire. Moore first stated deputies discharged their firearms, but followed by stating there was one deputy shooter. “He did sustain a wound to his upper torso and he was pronounced dead here at the scene,” Moore said. The suspect retreated into one of the burning homes one final time and emerged with a shotgun, aiming it an an unknown target.
As the suspect attempted to step over items at the door, the suspect's head briefly fell limp. He attempted to grab for his chest, or his head and eventually fell lifeless. Everything unfolded just before 12:30 p.m. when San Gabriel Police officers arriving to a family disturbance call met with the suspect who fired one shot at them. At least one officer fired a return shot. The suspect fled into the home, setting off the hours-long barricade. During the course of the barricade, east and west lanes of the I-1o freeway were closed and two homes burned while the suspect ran around the triplex property, arming himself with more weapons and even set off fireworks. Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate!  IMAGE/ABC7 News. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - A shirtless man armed with a handgun continues to evade authorities after allegedly opening fire in the 2000 block of Brighton Street Thursday. The suspect, barricaded in one home for several hours, set fire to the structure before he fled out a rear door and to another structure at the triplex property in the 2000 block of Brighton Street. It is unclear if the second home burned because the suspect intentionally set it, or ignited due to embers from the first home.
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau have weapons drawn on the suspect who is erratically running in a rear yard adjacent to the westbound I-10 Del Mar off ramp. The suspect set off a number of fireworks as firefighters worked to extinguish both structure fires. Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate!  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - An armed, barricaded man is holed up inside in a home near Brighton Street and East Saxon Avenue, according to information published by the City of San Gabriel. No injuries are reported. Authorities are evacuating some residents near the barricaded suspect. Westbound lanes of the I-10 freeway from San Gabriel Boulevard to Del Mar Avenue will be closed. eastbound lanes remain open, San Gabriel officials said. A Monterey Park K9 officer and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau are among assisting agencies working to bring a peaceful resolution.
The suspect may have fired his weapon inside the home, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic, with the sound of several gunshots heard by officers. Authorities have established telephone communication with the suspect who expressed interest in surrendering. Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate! |
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