Early this morning, a severe blaze engulfed a two-story home in North Hollywood, prompting a rapid response from the Los Angeles Fire Department. As per an official LAFD alert, firefighters arrived at 11015 W Sarah St to confront a heavy fire at the back of the 3,300-square-foot residence built in 1930. The team of 57 LAFD firefighters successfully extinguished the fire within 27 minutes.
The occupants, an 80-year-old male and a 35-year-old male, who were alerted by a working smoke alarm, had self-evacuated before the crews arrived. They informed the first responders that two individuals were still trapped inside. "During an aggressive and well-coordinated attack on the flames, firefighters discovered and rescued a 60F in serious condition and a 40F in grave condition," according to the LAFD report. An unresponsive dog and three unresponsive cats were also found; sadly, the cats did not survive.
Updated patient information released by the LAFD update corrected the ages and conditions of the rescued individuals. The patients transported to hospitals now included a 50-year-old female in grave condition and an 83-year-old male in serious condition. The previous report of the rescued female being 60 was erroneous. The 80-year-old male declined ambulance transportation and remains on the scene, alongside the 35-year-old male who also refused medical transport.
The LAFD firefighters' efforts led to a successful resuscitation of the dog. The City's Department of Animal Services has been notified to take over care. The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team has stepped in to assist the 80-year-old male occupant with immediate needs. Captain Weireter is currently at the scene assisting the media with information as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues. No further injuries have been reported in this incident.
