fire: June 2008 Archives

Another blast from the Tribune crime archives. This story was published Dec. 6, 1968.

TORCH DEATH

Youth Faces Murder Trial

A 19-year-old West Covina youth will go on trial for murder Feb 17. accused  of throwing a lighted match on the gasoline-soaked clothing of a customer last Aug. 25 at the filling station where he worked.

Presiding Judge Carlos N. Teran of Pomona Superior Court set the trial date this week for Frederick A. Steiner of 3526 Holt Ave.

Steiner is charged with murdering Kenneth Kinsley, 20 of 4702 N. Harlan Ave,

Prosecutors charge that Steiner squirted gasoline on Kinsley during an argument at the station at 3202 Baldwin Park Blvd., after Kinsley  refused to pay for two of three cans of transmission fluid. The first two leaked out of the car.

When Kinsley returned from washing in the station rest room and grabbed a tire iron, more argument erupted. About this point, Steiner allegedly threw the match on Kinsley, igniting his clothing.

The victim died five days later in County General Hospital of third and second degree burns on 60 percent of his body. He was married and the father of two children.

This from the Associated Press:

Nearly 30 firefighters have extinguished a restaurant fire in South El Monte.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department told KTLA-TV that the fire at Cafe Azteca on Rush Street was reported shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday

Early commuters on the Pomona (60) Freeway to the south and the San Bernardino (10) Freeway to the north could see smoke and flames from the blaze.

Firefighters appeared to have the fire extinguished by 5:30 a.m.

To: News Room
From: Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, Verdugo Fire Academy Glendale, Ca.

 

At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Saturday June 7th, I was traveling on the West Bound 210 freeway approximately 1/4 mile before the 605 interchange. I noticed a light bit of smoke developing.

 

I pulled to the right and noticed a semi-truck overturned becoming well involved with fire. I stopped to attempt what appeared to be an obvious trapped person in the burning truck. Never in my 28 year career did I witness the occupant stumbling around in shock with
multiple cuts, abrasions and burns with possible broken bones.

I got the victim to a safe location and started administering first aid. The truck was becoming more involved with fire. I called Los Angeles County Fire Dispatch Center who advised me units were en route.

Apparently the victim kicked out the windshield and jumped approximately 20 feet into a storm drain (the truck flew off the high interchange (approximately 30 feet) of the 210/605 freeway and landed on the Mount Olive Drive exit. Had he missed the Mount Olive Drive he
would have fallen another 30 feet into the storm drains on both sides.

This gentlemen is certainly lucky to be alive!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Firefighters are fighting a 2-alarm brush fire in a riverbed next to Encanto Park in Duarte, officials said.

The blaze was reported about at 4:05 p.m. near the park, located at 800 Encanto Parkway, and was reported to be at 1 acre just prior to 5 p.m., Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatchers said.

About 100 personnel were battling the fire, which officials said was burning in "medium brush."

No structured were immediately threatened, however firefighters were placed in between the fire and nearby homes as a precaution.

Steep terrain, high winds and the fire's proximity to buildings promted the heavy response to the fire, officials said.

A cause was not known.