ONSCENE.TV
Amid the chaos of the Los Angeles fires, it looked like firefighters were using whatever they could find – handbags included – to put out a dumpster fire, but TMZ is here to debunk that claim.
LAFD officials told TMZ that the “handbags” seen in local news reports this week were actually canvas bags that firefighters carried on their engines for various tasks. When fighting a small trash fire like the one in this video, it's easier for them to quickly fill the bags with water and put out the flames than to get out a hose.
We are told that connecting fire hoses to hydrants takes time, and because fires spread so quickly, they need to act quickly. The sooner they stop, the better – timing is everything.
This is why it's wiser to use burlap bags filled with water to put out small fires – it's not a desperate act because there's no water pressure, as some people speculated online.
Some thought the firefighters were just desperate and weren't sure if it was a joke or not. But of course, LA first responders know how best to deal with the flames.
Not only are the fires raging in the Pacific Palisades, they have also wreaked havoc in Altadena, the Hollywood Hills, Acton and Sylmar, with embers swirling throughout the city and starting smaller fires. Therefore, every quick step counts.