South Central LA, Compton Structure Fire

Chasing fires and emergencies in South LA and Compton can be challenging at times and some what dangerous. I cover emergencies at night in what I have termed, the "pit" a small staging area at Slauson Ave and Harbor Freeway. Of course in the day time I just can not maneuver in traffic fast enough to get to calls in time for any decent photography work, but at night, when the rats come out to play and feed in the trash, this is the time when some real photo journalism takes place. North south streets like Crenshaw, South Gramercy Place, Normandie, Vermont, Western, South Broadway, Main, Central, Alvarado to Long Beach Bl and all the East West streets from MLK south to Imperial Highway are quickly covered from the "Pit". The strategy is to stay awake well into the witching hour, while being ever vigilant to the radio traffic and get on the road as soon as the alert tones go off. The photos are from a fire in Compton 2 days ago, a parking garage was well involved with fire upon arrival. My strategy:get in, take the images and leave to avoid large crowds that form in projects and beat feet back to the staging area. Just another sleepless night in my fire ground office in South LA.