One Civilian, Two Firefighters Stable Following Westlake Structure Fire

Two Los Angeles Fire Department members and one civilian are stable at local hospitals following a structure fire Saturday afternoon in the Westlake neighborhood.

Firefighters responded at 12:58 p.m. to a reported outside fire near 525 South Union Avenue. The fire quickly extended into a two-story apartment building, a single-family bungalow dwelling, and a recreational vehicle. Despite the complicated nature of the scene, crews were able to declare the fire fully knocked down less than an hour after the 911 call, at 1:42 p.m.

Early in the incident, one adult male civilian was rescued from a structure, and one LAFD member was struck by a vehicle while working on scene. Paramedics transported both the civilian and the firefighter to local hospitals. After knockdown was declared, a second LAFD member experienced a medical emergency and was also transported to the emergency room. The civilian and both firefighters are reported to be in stable condition.

The fire left two residential units uninhabitable, displacing at least eight individuals. The American Red Cross is assisting those affected with temporary shelter.

Approximately 60 LAFD firefighters worked on scene at the height of this incident. Assistance was provided by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the Los Angles Police Department throughout the course of the incident and overhaul. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.