Tuesday, January 20, 2015

8 People suffer burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries in California apartment fire



8 People suffer burns, other injuries in California apartment fire





SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (AP) — Eight people were rushed to local hospitals Tuesday with burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries after a fire broke out in a Southern California apartment.

A woman and a young child pulled out by firefighters were in grave condition after suffering burns and smoke inhalation from the blaze in San Juan Capistrano, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

Another woman was in serious condition after jumping from the second-story unit, and five others, including four children, were being treated at local hospitals for smoke inhalation after getting out on their own, he said.

Concialdi said he believed as many as 10 people may have lived in the four-bedroom apartment, but some details remained unclear.

About 60 firefighters battled the blaze that began at 9:15 a.m. and put it out in less than an hour, Concialdi said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Mayor Derek Reeve told reporters that officials will undoubtedly learn lessons from the fire but were focused on the victims.

"Right now, we are trying to deal with the more immediate traumatic situation," he said