An outside fire tore through three structures in Los Angeles' Westlake neighborhood Saturday, Sept. 26, sending two firefighters and one civilian to the hospital.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said crews were dispatched at 12:58 p.m. to a reported outside fire near 525 South Union Ave. The blaze spread quickly into a two-story apartment building, a single-family bungalow and a recreational vehicle, according to an LAFD news release.
One adult male civilian was rescued from a structure early in the incident. One firefighter was struck by a vehicle while working on scene, and paramedics transported both to local hospitals. After crews declared the fire knocked down, a second firefighter experienced a medical emergency and was also taken to the emergency room.
All three are in stable condition.
About 60 LAFD firefighters battled the blaze at its peak. Crews declared the fire fully knocked down at 1:42 p.m., 44 minutes after the initial 911 call. KTLA reported that video from the scene showed towering flames and thick black smoke rising from an area filled with debris.
Westlake resident Erika Tovilla told ABC7 Eyewitness News she had just arrived home from the doctor when she spotted the flames. Her uncle was among those hurt. "Everything is burned we lost everything," Tovilla said. "Automatically we're on the street - mean we don't have anything."
She said her uncle suffered burns on his arm and inhaled smoke before being taken to the hospital. The LAFD's later update listed the civilian in stable condition.
The fire left two residential units uninhabitable and displaced at least eight people. The American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter to those affected.
The Los Angeles Police Department, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Water and Power assisted throughout the incident. LAFD spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz confirmed additional resources were requested shortly after the initial dispatch.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed. Residents with information about the blaze can contact the LAFD Arson Section at 213-893-9850.
