2 Homes, Apartment Building In Historic Westlake Section Ravaged By Flames
WESTLAKE (CBSLA.com) — Two homes and one apartment building in the historic Westlake district were ravaged by flames Wednesday afternoon.
Sky 2's Stu Mundel said there were no injuries reported. A more thorough search through both homes is required to make sure there are no fatalities.
One person who lives in an adjoining structure is being evaluated after making a medical complaint, authorities said.
Flames were visible for several blocks.
The two three-story Craftsman-style homes are located on the 1200 block of South Bonnie Brae Street, according to officials.
In all, 41 residents were displaced from the three residences.
One dog died. Two dogs were also rescued.
The roofs of both of the historic homes were deemed unstable so firefighters had to quickly regroup and fight the blaze from the ground.
The homes were built in 1902 and 1905, according to reports.
More than 140 firefighters are battled the blazes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The fire was declared a complete knockdown in about one hour and 11 minutes, officials said. Before it could be completely knocked down, the fire also spread to an apartment building in the rear.
The first apparently started outside of 1232 Bonnie Brae and spread from there, fire officials said.
KCAL9's Andrea Fujii spoke to residents who had to scramble to get out alive.
Witnesses told her it took less than five minutes for flames to tear though the two main structures. Several people had to jump out of windows to escape.
Through an interpreter, Fidel Esperanza said he cut his leg when he jumped from the third floor.
"He said that he was in his room, and then he heard an explosion. So that when he tried to get out of his room, he saw fire and smoke and so he saw the only way he could get out was from the window," said the interpreter.
Oliver Flores lives across the street and said he heard the fire start.
"We heard a bunch of explosions," Flores said, "coming from this back alley."
He says he ran into the burning building to help people get out.
"We only went to the top of the stairs, after that it was too smoky. We couldn't even get through and it was just too hot," said Flores.
He said it was teamwork that got all the human residents out alive.
"It's a tough neighborhood," Flores said, "But, you know, we take care of each other here."
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
