LWer dies after fire breaks out in unit

FIRE REPORT

An 83-year-old resident of Mutual 11 who was apparently overcome by smoke after a fire broke out in his unit in Mutual 11’s Building 273 on March 29 has died.

A woman living in an adjacent unit smelled smoke and called Security at 1:51 a.m., Monday. Security called 911 and immediately sent officers to the building. They saw smoke pouring out of the attic vents and used the key in the lockbox to open the metal security door of the end unit involved. Smoke and flames were too dense to allow entry.

Officers evacuated the building, making sure all residents were escorted to safety, according to Security reports.

Firefighters arrived at the scene in minutes and were able to contain the fire to 273-G. The fire was fully extinguished by 2:15 a.m. During a search of the unit, firefighters discovered an unresponsive man in the bedroom. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Security reports.

The fire’s origin was traced to the electric stovetop in the kitchen, according to the OCFA fire report. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

During the evacuation, Pastor Bruce Humes from First Christian Church, which is adjacent to Building 273, opened up the church so the evacuees could stay warm until the status of their units could be determined.

At 3:47 a.m., the OCFA stated that the evacuees could return to their residences.

Security has set up caution tape and barrier fencing to secure the unit.