2 Dead In Sun Valley House Fire
SUN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — An elderly couple died after a house fire in Sun Valley Saturday night, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The fire broke out just after 8 p.m. in a gated community on La Tuna Canyon Road. The residential community is located in the Verdugo Mountains of the northeast San Fernando Valley.
Firefighters found the home fully engulfed in flames, and broke down a gate to rescue two elderly people trapped inside.
Neither of the victims, both in their 90s, had a pulse when they were rescued. Firefighters and paramedics performed CPR. Both victims later died at a hospital.
The couple's daughter tried to rescue the couple before firefighters arrived. She suffered smoke inhalation and burns, and was in serious condition Sunday.
Investigators said a smoke alarm in the couple's bedroom wasn't working properly.
LA Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey described the firefight as "relentless." Firefighters had to cut through a tile roof with a chainsaw and hand tools.
It took 63 firefighters 28 minutes to put the fire out.
One firefighter was overcome by exertion and was taken to a hospital to be examined. He was expected to return to full duty Sunday, according to the fire department.
Investigators didn't find anything that would have blocked the couple from escaping, but said mobility impairment may have made it difficult for them to get out.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
