NBC4: Apartment Fire Forces Evacuations, Man Critically Burned | April 1, 2022
Channel: LAFD
Date: 2022-04-01

RESEDA - Firefighters extinguished a fire that began on the first floor and quickly climbed up the front of an apartment building, resulting in two injuries.

At 3:16 AM on Friday, April 1, 2022, the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the 17800 block of West Sherman Way to find a three-story apartment building with fire showing. As the first-on-scene firefighters jumped out of their apparatus, flames lapped up the front of the building from a first-floor unit. Firefighters deployed hose lines to multiple floors on either side of the flames and prevented the fire from spreading laterally. Other crews ascended ladders to the roof to provide vertical ventilation, allowing heated gases and smoke to escape from the structure. Dozens of residents self-evacuated, while some were instructed to shelter in place. 

It took 96 firefighters 58 minutes to extinguish the flames. Two residents were injured during the blaze. LAFD Firefighter-Paramedics treated one man for serious burns and transported him to the hospital in critical condition. A second patient was treated on scene, but declined ambulance transport.

The unit (where the fire appeared to have originated) had a high volume of belongings stored inside that added to the fire load (amount of combustible fuels inside), although fire department access was not impeded.

Firefighters would like to remind residents to have an emergency plan, make it known to all who live with you, and check smoke detectors (and other fire prevention equipment, if applicable) on a regular basis. Taking these steps prior to an emergency will increase the chances of escaping in the event of a fire.