4,100 Inmates Are Evacuated as L.A. County Jail Is Hit by Fire

A fire broke out Friday in the ventilation system at the County Jail east of Los Angeles Civic Center, forcing officials to move about two-thirds of the facility’s 6,000 inmates to escape heavy smoke and injuring 15, including 11 inmates, authorities said.

The fire in the facility at 441 E. Bauchet St. broke out about 5:11 p.m. in the ventilation system on the third floor roof, Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells said. The blaze was doused in about 30 minutes.

Sheriff’s Deputy Hal Grant said the fire apparently stemmed from a mechanical problem in the ventilation system. But fire officials at the scene reported that pillows, mattresses, blankets and other debris were found stuffed into an enclosed area and had been set afire.

Ten of the inmates suffered minor smoke inhalation. while another slipped and fell. Three sheriff’s deputies also suffered from smoke inhalation and a fourth was hurt in a fall.

About 2,000 inmates were moved from the second floor to the first floor to avoid heavy black smoke. Another 2,000 inmates were relocated from the third floor to the inmate reception center on the ground floor. About 100 others were taken to the roof while firefighters fought the blaze.