Firefighter Injured in Ceiling Collapse Dies

Los Angeles - A veteran Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter gravely injured when a ceiling collapsed on him and five colleagues battling a blaze at a Hollywood Hills mansion died today.

Glenn L. Allen, a 38-year veteran of the department, died at 12:15 p.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He was 61 and about a year from retirement.

Allen's first grandchild is expected to be born in a couple of days, Chief Millage Peaks said.

"This tragedy serves as another reminder -- somber, powerful reminder -- the brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe from harm," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a news conference.

"As residents of this great city, let us not forget these men and women selflessly put their lives at risk so that our families and our lives can be protected. These are the first responders, real life heroes who rush in the face of dangers.

"Again, our hearts are heavy. ... My sincere thoughts and prayers are with firefighter Allen's family and his extended family of firefighters at the Los Angeles Fire Department."

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck extended condolences to the department and family.

"The LAPD is keeping firefighter Allen's family and colleagues in our prayers as they cope with this sad loss," Beck said.

"In unity with our firefighter brothers and sisters, and to honor Firefighter Allen, I have authorized the wearing of black mourning bands over our LAPD badges. His death is a somber reminder to us all of the sacrifices public safety personnel are willing to make to protect the people of Los Angeles.

Gov. Jerry Brown said Allen "dedicated his life to protecting the people of Los Angeles."

"In this time of great sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with those who had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Glenn," Brown said.

Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in memory of Allen, Brown said.

The fire -- which also injured five other firefighters -- was reported at 11:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of North Viewsite Drive, near Sunset Plaza.

"This is a tough time for the Los Angeles Fire Department and it's a tough time for the Allen family. As most of you know, on Wednesday night, about 20 minutes after 11, a number of fire department resources responded to a firefight in the Hollywood Hills," Peaks said.

"That firefight lasted a little under an hour, but 42 minutes into the fight we had a ceiling collapse and a number of our firefighters were trapped, buried and pinned under the debris. Six of those firefighters were subsequently transported to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. One of them had to be extricated and was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

"That firefighter spent the last day and a half of his life fighting. He was doing what he wanted to do. He was doing what he loved. He was serving the city of Los Angeles, as all of our Los Angeles firefighters do."

The accidental blaze may have spread from a gas fireplace, fire Capt. Tina Haro said.

Firefighters were inside the home when the ceiling collapsed on them, said Capt. Jaime Moore, who noted the area above the ceiling had become saturated with water.

A plastic pipe providing water to the sprinkler system "burned through," causing a large amount of water to accumulate above the ceiling in the enclosed space between the ceiling and the roof, Moore said.

Allen's colleagues had to use chainsaws to gain access to him under the rubble and pull him out, Haro said.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Glenn Allen, who lost his life while protecting the people of Los Angeles -- the people he served every day of his 38 years in our Fire Department. Los Angeles lost a hero today," City Council President Eric Garcetti said.

Two residents had been living at the home for about a week and escaped the fire without injuries, Gales said.

The estimated damage to the home and its contents is about $250,000, Gales said.

An investigation will determine what caused Allen's death, Scott said.

"The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss," Scott said. "The Allen family and the Los Angeles Fire Department has received a tremendous outpouring of support during this difficult time."

A Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter was admitted for treatment of a fractured ankle, and two city and two Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters also injured in the roof collapse were treated and released, Haro said.

The last Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter to be killed in the line of duty was 35-year-old Brent Lovrien, a 10-year department veteran, in March 2008.