WEST HOLLYWOOD—A fire erupted at an eight-story West Hollywood apartment complex leaving a resident injured and several others displaced.
The incident, which the Los Angeles County Fire Department named, “The Norton Incident,” occurred at 7:24 p.m. on December 13 on the 7500 block of West Norton Avenue.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Keith Mora described the incident to Canyon News. He detailed, “We had a first alarm assignment on the multi-family, conventional construction dwelling. An Arson Investigation Unit was also dispatched, along with an additional Battalion Chief.”
Captain Mora explained that the initial Battalion Chief who responded to the scene may have been released to investigate another incident, and hence the additional Battalion Chief was dispatched. “This is standard practice. Nothing weird,” Captain Mora stressed.
When the firefighters arrived, they witnessed the building filled with heavy smoke and visible, protruding flames. It took them less than 20 minutes to knock down the blaze.
There are varying reports as to how many tenants were hospitalized, but Captain Mora clarified that while paramedics advised four residents to undergo medical treatment, only one agreed, and the victim subsequently received advance life services treatment for smoke inhalation. He was then rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The Arson Unit’s investigation has ruled the cause to be accidental in nature. It has been determined that the fire was likely caused by an unattended candle.
The blaze also injured a pet dog and claimed the life of a pet cat.
