A woman jumped from the second story of a burning apartment Friday to escape a fire that started at an under-construction apartment complex that was in the process of being demolished and spread to nearby residences in the San Fernando Valley.
The fire was reported early Friday afternoon north of the 134 Freeway near Lankershim Boulevard in the North Hollywood area.
The woman in her mid-30s who jumped from the second story was not seriously injured, according to firefighters. Another woman in her 30s was evaluated for smoke inhalation and hospitalized in stable condition.
The fire started at the construction site and spread to a neighboring building, where residents reported balcony damage, melted window blinds and charred patio furniture. Aerial video showed several charred vehicles parked on a street next to the burned buildings.
The construction site had become abandoned and was in the process of being demolished. During the second day of demolition, a cutting tool sparked and accidentally started the blaze, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
One pet was found dead in the adjacent apartment complex, Stewart said.
Residents told NBC4 work continued off-and-on at the construction site over the past five years. The property was in the process of being demolished, residents said.
"We've been dealing with the building next door for the last seven years and we've contacted everyone from assemblyman to councilman's office and nothing has happened," said Charles Sulahian, the owner of the apartment building that was also damaged. Six units in his building were lost.
"I'm very frustrated because my hands have been tied," he said.
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Firefighters knocked down the fire at about 1:30 p.m., about an hour after it was reported.
A photo posted by Michael Grothem (@sevensorrows) on Jun 19, 2015 at 12:32pm PDT
