Firefighters Rescue Several People Trapped in Van Nuys Apartment Building Fire

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 (KNN) — Firefighters rushed into a smoke-filled apartment building overnight to rescue those trapped after a fire erupted in one of the units.

The Los Angeles Fire Department received a call regarding a structure fire at 12:36 a.m. Sunday, along with reports of several people trapped inside an apartment building on the 7300 Block of North Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys.

Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke throughout both residential floors and a fire in one unit of a two-story apartment building above one parking level, according to the LAFD.

Firefighters quickly entered the building to rescue the reported people trapped inside. They were all provided medical evaluation/treatment outside.

One elderly patient was safely removed from the unit and ultimately transported by ambulance to a hospital for smoke inhalation. The LAFD reported that a child was also transported for the same reason. Their conditions are unknown.

A family was trapped inside their apartment on the second floor and rescued via ladder by firefighters.

Other residents were evacuated and can be seen outside the apartment building in KNN video from the location.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames in the burning unit. Fire ground personnel set up blowers to systematically evacuate smoke from the building and restore fresh air inside, reported the LAFD.

It took 43 firefighters 34 minutes to douse the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Amel Kharchenko, Video Journalist / KNN