Local News in Brief : Fire Guts Vacant House
A fire destroyed a vacant South Los Angeles house frequented by drug users and sellers early Monday, spreading to two other homes as residents fled, authorities said.
One firefighter was injured battling the 2 a.m. blaze in the 1300 block of West 37th Place, the cause of which was being investigated, city Fire Department spokesman Jim Williamson said.
The firefighter suffered first- and second-degree burns to his hands and abdomen, Williamson said, and was in good condition after treatment at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood. No other injuries were reported.
The house where the fire started was the scene of an assault Sunday evening that left one man in critical condition with head injuries caused by a blow from a pipe, Los Angeles Police Lt. Enrique Hernandez said.
“The vacant house was used by coke heads as a crash pad,” Hernandez said.
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