LA County fire station damaged by blaze reopens in Huntington Park

HUNTINGTON PARK — Eleven months after it was heavily damaged by an early morning fire, Los Angeles County Fire Station 164 in Huntington Park reopened Friday.

The fire burned through the two-story building in the 6000 block of Santa Fe Avenue around 4 a.m. May 1, 2024. The fire was contained about 20 minutes later, but not before causing major damage to the facility.

County Supervisor Janice Hahn said at the time she went to the station to survey the damage, and said it was completely ruined.

According to Hahn, firefighters were sleeping moments before the fire broke out. She said a good Samaritan rang the station's doorbell to alert the firefighters before the flames worsened.

"Our firefighters couldn't reach their turnout gear, so many of them fought the fire in T-shirts and flip-flops until a nearby station could respond," Hahn said.

No injuries were reported in the blaze.

With the station in ruins, fire crews have been working out of a temporary facility for nearly a year.

In August, Hahn introduced a motion that was approved by the Board of Supervisors, expediting a $16 million rebuilding and renovation of the station. According to Hahn's office, the work was "completed in record time."

"I don't think in my wildest dreams did I believe we would be back here celebrating the reopening of this station in just 11 months," Hahn said in a statement Friday. "It's a testament to the dedication and attention of our county employees who worked hard to bring Station 164 back. The brave firefighters at Station 164 have been through a lot this past year, but their commitment to serving these communities never faltered. We could not be more grateful for their continued dedication to the people of LA County."

County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone added, "I am proud to welcome our firefighters back to their fire station, known as `The Big House."'