EARTHQUAKE: THE LONG ROAD BACK : Crippled Water System Hinders Fire Response

As yet another hindrance of an earthquake-crippled water system, Los Angeles firefighters Saturday were forced to bring their own supply to a late-afternoon blaze at a two-story Porter Ranch home.

Authorities said the single-family house in the 11500 block of Vimy Road suffered about $250,000 in damage. There were no injuries. The home’s owners left town shortly after the quake, said Paul Gutierrez of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

While firefighters were able to ameliorate the water problem, there was little they could do about the many cars that blocked their route, Gutierrez said.

“There was a lot of civilian traffic impeding our way to the fire,” Gutierrez said. “The house was on a hill, with a Valley view, so people who were driving around looking for the quake damage saw fire and went up to see what was happening.”

Because of damage to area water mains, firefighters drew water from two 2,000-gallon tankers to fight the blaze, which began at 5:13 p.m., Gutierrez said. Firefighters put out the blaze in less than 30 minutes.