Early Sunday morning, the Glendale Fire Department responded to an apartment fire located at 1344 North Columbus Avenue. The first truck to arrive at the scene discovered smoke billowing from the two-story apartment front. The fire was located at the rear of the apartment unit and had begun to spread to an adjacent unit. Glendale firefighters quickly began to deploy multiple hose lines and ventilated the unit in order to limit and ultimately extinguish the flames. At approximately 5:58 AM, the fire was elevated to a second alarm fire, but was extinguished at 6:15 AM just 22 minutes after the first units were dispatched.
The apartment building was evacuated with five patients being assessed on scene. Two of those patients were diagnosed with smoke inhalation and transported to a local hospital for further medical attention. Thankfully all residents left the apartment safely, although the estimated loss to the units was $100,000 in structural damage and $40,000 in contents destroyed. The displaced residents from the apartment building are being assisted with help from the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Glendale Fire response team was under the direction of Battalion Chief Thomas Marchant and included six engine companies, two ladder truck companies, one air utility vehicle, two basic life support ambulances, as well as a Burbank Battalion Chief and truck company. In total, the Glendale Fire Department had their resources on scene for six hours and 18 minutes.
In light of this unfortunate incident, the Glendale Fire Department encourages residents to ensure sprinklers and smoke detectors are working. If residents prepare for fires now, they may be able to avoid future property damage, displacement, and even death.
For more information about the Glendale Fire Department and for some home safety tips, please visit www.glendalefire.org.
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