Two firefighters were hospitalized and a resident was hurt when a fire tore through a two-story apartment building in Panorama City Thursday night.
The blaze was reported by a passerby about 9:15 p.m. at 9010 Cedros Ave., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Eight-nine firefighters responded to the 58-unit building and knocked down the flames in 32 minutes, the LAFD reported. Direct fire damage was limited to two apartment units on the upper floor and one apartment below. Five other units also sustained indirect damage
One of the firefighters injured battling the blaze suffered minor facial burns, and the other an eye injury. A woman from the apartment where the fire started also suffered a minor burn injury.
Crews forced their way into apartments and searched on their hands and knees for possible victims, according to the fire department.
Broadcast video showed the front of the building engulfed in flames at one point, but by 9:45 p.m. the bulk of the fire appeared to be knocked down. All were taken to the hospital for treatment, and no other injuries were reported.
Though direct fire loss is still being calculated, LAFD responders prevented more than $1,492,950 in property loss by sparing 50 apartments from damage. The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.
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Volunteers from the American Red Cross provided assistance to 19 adults and 11 children displaced by the blaze.
The 45 year-old building was equipped with functional smoke alarms as required by law, but did not feature optional fire sprinklers, according to the LAFD.
Beverly White contributed to this report
