L.A. Man Gravely Burned When Clothes Catch Fire

On Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 39 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, responded to a Critical Burn Injury at 2106 North Lincoln Park Avenue in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters responding to a reported Structure Fire arrived quickly to find the small fire out, but a critically burned man at the front door of a small rear-yard structure converted to living space.


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The 71 year-old male, who sustained 3rd degree circumferential burns to the upper half of his body, was skilfully treated by LAFD personnel before being transported in grave condition by LAFD Paramedic Ambulance to the Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center.

An Investigation Team from the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section carefully examined the scene and spoke with witnesses. LAFD Investigators surmise the man's clothing ignited while attempting to quench a small fire within the living unit, and are categorizing his life-threatening injuries as accidental in nature.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department