Three-Story Condo Blaze Sends One To Hospital: LAFD

A man was taken to the hospital in serious condition from a three-story condo fire in Pacoima on Saturday, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Three others were checked for injuries at the scene and released.

Almost 100 firefighters were required to knock down the blaze at 12330 W. Osborne Street, a fire spokesman said. Four adults were taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries.

The man who was hospitalized was living in the unit where the fire started, officials said. The fire was believed to have started in the man's garage.

"It got bigger and bigger by the second and then another explosion, another 'boom,'" said neighbor Claudia Abrego.

Between three and seven pet birds died in the fire, neighbors and fire officials said. Three families were displaced.

A tow truck driver transferring gasoline into a 55-gallon drum caused the fire, a fire official said Sunday.

Reported at about 1 p.m., the fire took 43 minutes to knock down, according to fire officials.

Arson investigators were trying to determine how the fire started.