Flames
are seen coming from a home in Echo Park on July 4, 2015. One man died
and five others, including a firefighter, were injured. (Credit: KTLA)
A 911 caller reported there may be victims trapped inside.
“Unfortunately during the search and rescue we did find one deceased patient that is still in the house,” Curry said. “We also transported two additional individuals with critical burns and we have two additional burn injuries with minor burns. They are not being transported.”
The individual who died and two critically injured patients were only identified as men.
The man who died and four civilians who were injured were believed to be the only people in the home during the fire, Curry said.
Officials offered few details about the injured firefighter, but video showed an apparently injured firefighter sitting outside the home as comrades gave him water and put ice on his back.
“This was a very strenuous fire to fight. We wear a lot of protective gear, it makes you hot. It taxes you easier than just wearing normal clothes and he’s being evaluated further,” Curry said.
Although some reports indicated a nearby hotel had been evacuated, Curry said it was not.
“The hotel was an exposure to the north side of this building. They were sheltered in place,” Curry said. “Obviously the people did come out and take a look, but they were never evacuated.”
Onlookers
watch as firefighters battle a blaze that killed one man and injured
five others, including a firefighter, in Echo Park on July 4, 2015.
(Credit: KTLA)
About 62 firefighters worked about 36 minutes to extinguish the blaze, Curry said.
Although landscaping outside the home appeared to be overgrown, according to Curry, it was not believed to be a factor in the fire.
The cause was under investigation.
The home was about 2 blocks from Echo Park Lake, which can attract dozens of families on busy holiday weekends.