My brother-in-law was an LA county fireman at that time. He said they got shot at and that all they could do was knock down the big flames and let the home and shop owners put the small stuff out themselves. The people were very grateful and brought them cokes and hamburgers. He also said that about the only shops that weren’t looted were bookstores. Go figure.
It’s said that the shoe and hardware store owners hid their money under the work boots.