Fire Nearly Traps 5 Apparent Squatters In Koreatown Home; 2 Injured
KOREATOWN (CBSLA.com) — Residents of a Koreatown neighborhood watched as fire engulfed a home that was allegedly abandoned by its owner but lived in by squatters.
Firefighters said the home on South Wilton Place had squatters but did not know how long they were on the premises.
KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo had a neighbor's cellphone video of the desperate moments right after the fire started.
Christian Bouyssou is behind the camera and says he could hear people inside the burning house on Wilton place
"They were just screaming help," said Bouyssou. "And I heard help and the screaming."
Another man, Felipe Marquez, said he saw a woman jumping from a second floor window.
Marquez was also recording on his cellphone as another man carried that woman to safety.
Neighbors watched as others also scrambled to get out on the home.
On the video flames are visible and licking the building next door.
"I feel so scared," said neighbor Danna Marquez, "cause I felt like this house would burn, too."
Firefighters said by the time they got to the blaze all five people inside had escaped the flames.
Crews said the home was clearly abandoned and they had to cut through bars and boards to get in.
Neighbors told Fajardo they had long complained to police about homeless people squatting and using the building as a drug den.
Residents who live near the home told Fajardo the flames were so intense they could feel the heat several houses away.
"It was very hot and the smell of smoke was really really thick," said Bouyssou, "Really strong."
One man had burns to both ears, and firefighters also said a woman had many cuts to her face.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
