PACOIMA - The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a small fire on Christmas Morning that sadly claimed the life of a "senior" resident at an independent-living facility.

At 10:19 am, Firefighters responded to a reported "Structure Fire" at 11060 North Norris Avenue. They quickly ascended the six-story "Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa" and had to force-entry into a single unit on the third floor, where they found a smoke-filled apartment.

Quick work was made of the small fire that required merely a single fire-extinguisher. Unfortunately, little time was also required for the fire to have tragically claimed the life of the unit's 90 year-old, female resident. She apparently had lived alone.

The fire-fatality required the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section to respond, where they spent most of Christmas Day conducting their investigation. The fire was deemed "accidental" in nature and Investigators stated "the most probable cause as candles...that appeared to have somehow ignited the victim's clothing." The manner in which that took place is unclear, as the fire remains under active investigation. The victim's official cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. Dollar-loss estimates were not yet available.

The LAFD extends their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, for this tragic loss. Your LAFD is saddened by such incidents and finds them extremely difficult to report, especially on Christmas Day. We do so only to highlight safety and underscore the importance of exercising extreme caution anytime you are around or in use of an open flame, regardless of the source. This holds true not only through the Holiday Season, but at all times.

Friends, there are numerous articles that can be found in our archives, here, on lafd.blogspot.com, some of which are "linked" in this article. Please take the time to review them with your loved ones. Simple steps and observance of key safety tips can help prevent tragedy from occurring.

Please allow yourselves to spend your Holiday Season with family and friends...SAFELY! And from all of us at the Los Angeles Fire Department...today, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 RA898 E7 RA7 E275 T75 E91 EM15 BC10 BC12 E77 RA98 BC12 AR2 DC3 AR11 AR36


Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department