The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was alerted of a Structure Fire at 8:39 AM with reports of a person possibly trapped inside. Firefighters quickly arrived to 8816 Tobias Avenue to find a seven unit, two-story apartment building with smoke pouring from second story and one unit fully involved in fire.
Due to an aggressive attack, a total of 39 firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Jack Wise, fully extinguished the fire in just 14 minutes. The bulk of flames were confined to the unit
of origin.
Sadly, during the initial Search and Rescue of the unit on fire, a 42 year-old woman was found in the hallway beyond medical help, and was determined dead. Three people suffered non-life-threatening smoke inhalation and were transported to local hospitals in Fair condition; two were brave Police Officers assisting in evacuation and the third was a 14 year-old boy, son of the deceased.
In examining the fire's aftermath, there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm within the residence due to fire damage. There was a front security door but no window bars to impair egress of the 52-year old residence, which was not equipped with fire sprinklers.
The scene was preserved for LAFD Arson Investigators and LAPD to closely examine the cause of the deadly fire. The fire remains under active investigation and the monetary loss is still being tabulated.
A positive identification - to include the age and gender - of those who died, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of their deaths, will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.
Dispatched Units: E81 RA881 RA81 E90 E275 T75 E298 T98 EM12 BC12 E98 E7 RA98 AR2 AR7 DC3 AR9 E98 T98 E298Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
