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Funeral Service Underway For Fallen Firefighter

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Funeral services were being held Friday for Los Angeles firefighter Glenn Allen, who was killed battling a house fire in the Hollywood Hills.

The services were conducted at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, 555 W. Temple St.

An estimated 8,000 mourners were in attendance, about 250 of them dignitaries, including Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Millage Peaks, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAFD Capt.Tina Haro said.

Following the funeral, a memorial reception will take place at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training facility in Elysian Park. Burial will be private.

Allen, 61, was a 36-year veteran of the LAFD, and about a year from retirement. He was injured Feb. 16 when a ceiling collapsed on him and five other firefighters during a blaze in the 1500 block of North Viewsite Drive. He died last Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

A notice left at neighbors' homes said the mansion was to be used to film portions of the reality TV show "Germany's Next Top Model" from Feb. 18 to April 22.

The door tag, first cited by CBS2 last week, said 15 contestants and a nanny initially would stay at the home, but contestants would gradually be eliminated. Shooting was planned mainly inside the home.

Authorities have determined the fire was not deliberately set, but investigators have not found the cause of the blaze or whether any crime was committed, according to police Capt. Kevin McClure.

"This tragedy serves as another reminder -- somber, powerful reminder -- the brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe from harm," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said last week.

"As residents of this great city, let us not forget these men and women selflessly put their lives at risk so that our families and our lives can be protected. These are the first responders, real life heroes who rush in the face of dangers."

The following street closures will be in effect in the area of the cathedral:

-- Temple Street between Grand Avenue and Los Angeles Street;

-- Main Street between Temple and Second streets;

-- and Hill Street between First and Ord streets;

Other streets will be partially closed to provide local access only. They are:

-- Hill Street between First and Temple streets;

-- First Street between Los Angeles Street and Grand Avenue;

-- Grand Avenue between First Street and the Hollywood (101) Freeway onramp;

-- Grand Avenue between First and Third streets;

-- Cesar Chavez Avenue between First and Third streets.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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