Downey's shuttered fire station could reopen in February, officials say

Downey Fire Station No. 4 has been closed since February. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — Downey’s Fire Station 4 will likely reopen early next year, nearly a full year after an internal fire put the newly renovated facility out of commission.

Fire Station 4 – located at 9349 Florence Ave. – has remained empty for most of the year, after faulty wiring caused a fire inside one of the walls of the building on Feb. 25. While no injuries were reported, the incident left the facility significantly damaged, and inhabitable. 

Firefighters stationed at Station 4 have since been operating out of Stations 1 and 3.

The fire occurred only several months after the station had been opened following being modernized and renovated as a part of Measure S.

Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa – whose district Station 4 resides in - has expressed frustration with not only the incident itself, but the time it has taken to get the fire station repaired and operational.

“It is unconscionable to have an electrical fire at a fire station, let alone a brand-new fire station,” said Frometa. “Unfortunately, due to the abrupt changes in leadership at city hall, the project changed hands various times.”

According to Fire Chief Dan Hurlock, the station’s repair was originally under the management of former assistant City Manager Jon Oskoui. However, when Oskoui was put on administrative leave (and ultimately retired in a quiet exit from the city), the project was placed in the hands of Public Works Director Delfino Consunji.

“Delfino is finally the individual leading this project, and he is confident we will see the station reopen at the end of January,” said Frometa.

These comments are supported by Hurlock, who said that Downey Fire is hopeful they will return to the station in February.

A contract amounting to $143,888 was awarded to Global Builders Inc. last week for the repair and reconstruction of the site. In total, the project will cost the city approximately $365,000.

Construction is set to start this month.

In the meantime, investigations are still ongoing. While Frometa could not disclose much information, she assures residents that whoever is found responsible will be held accountable.

“As a representative of District 4, I will continue to make sure and put pressure with the investigation, and make sure that the responsible party pays [for] the costly and unnecessary disaster.”