SOUTHLAND : Fire Kills Father, 2 Young Sons
A father and his two young sons died in a fast-moving fire in their Long Beach apartment despite rescue attempts that were thwarted by a wrought-iron gate blocking the front door, officials said this morning.
Two reserve police officers saw smoke coming from the apartment building on East 11th St. at 8:11 p.m. Sunday and tried unsuccessfully to enter the apartment, said Long Beach Fire Department Lt. Doug Sarvis. Firefighters arrived minutes later and broke into the apartment, pulling the three victims from the flaming unit, he said.
Curtis Lyles, 29, and Jamal Lyles, 4, died at the scene. Another son, Curtis Lyles Jr., 7, died at St. Mary Medical Center. The fire was believed to be accidental.
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