Fire Damages 1 Unit at Complex for Aged
A two-alarm fire Sunday swept through a condominium in a 76-unit complex housing mainly elderly or disabled persons, but there were no serious injuries.
One resident was treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire in the three-story complex at 740 S. 36th St. was reported at 3:02 p.m. Officials said firefighters were hampered in battling the blaze because they had trouble gaining entry to the gated, security building.
A thick column of smoke was pouring from the third floor of the building when firefighters arrived, according to Fire Capt. Al MacDonald. No one was home in the unit where the fire started in a bedroom, possibly from an electrical malfunction, MacDonald said. Damage was estimated at $65,000.
The building was not evacuated, but a second alarm was called almost immediately to provide additional personnel in case an evacuation was necessary.
Residents of the building were told to stay in their units to avoid the heavy smoke in the second- and third-floor corridors. One resident was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to UC San Diego Medical Center.
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