October 20 incident remains under investigation
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is stressing the importance of smoke detectors following a Brentwood fire last week that killed a 92-year-old woman in a house with no detectors installed.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the incident was reported around 5:45 a.m at 405 Cliffwood Dive. LAFD crews arrived on the scene to find a large two-story craftsman-style house with “lazy smoke” showing.
“As firefighters made their way to the rear of the home, a significant yellow glow was apparent and we called for additional firefighters. We were told there’s possibly an elderly person inside, so with a heightened sense of urgency we commenced an aggressive interior attack and truck companies simultaneously cut holes on the roof to release the toxic smoke and gases,” said LAFD public information officer David Ortiz. “Firefighters inside rapidly made their way through heavy smoke conditions and quickly found the body of a 92-year-old female that was tragically determined dead in a rear bedroom on the first floor.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has not released the identity of the victim.
It took a total of 26 firefighters, under the command of battalion chief Joseph Everett, 33 minutes to fully extinguished the flames.
Per protocol for fatal fires, the cause is under active investigation by the LAFD Arson section. According to the LAFD, there were no functional smoke alarms found inside the home.
“Smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out,” Ortiz said.
