LA city, fire officials deny rift as infernos rage [Video]

A firefighter preparing to extinguish hotspots in the remains of a home destroyed by the Palisades Fire, in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, on Jan 11.PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles city and fire officials put on a united front on Jan 11 following reports of a furious row over the handling of devastating wildfires raging throughout the city.

In an at-times tense press conference, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass denied a report that she had been planning to fire Los Angeles City Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley.

Ms Crowley, standing alongside Ms Bass, meanwhile said the city’s political leaders, fire and police departments were “all on the same page” as they battled the devastating infernos that have left at least 11 people dead.

Ms Crowley had appeared to direct a barb at city leaders on Jan 9 when she said her department was underfunded.

“My message is …