Police on Patrol Rescue 3 From Burning House
Two Los Angeles police officers on patrol in North Hollywood kicked in the door of a house on fire and helped lead a couple and their young daughter to safety, authorities said Thursday.
No one was injured in the fire that began about 7:50 p.m. Wednesday in the 8000 block of Whitsett Avenue, Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Don Dahlstein said. The family apparently had gone to sleep in front of the television set and was unaware of the blaze, which caused $40,000 in damage to the roof and attic, Dahlstein said.
Officers Rene Botello and Peter Charles knocked on the door, then broke it down when there was no answer, Sgt. Christopher Vasquez said. “They were very alert,” Dahlstein said of the officers. “If the family had fallen asleep when the fire advanced, it could have caused some problems.”
The fire was started when embers from the chimney ignited the wood-shingle roof, Dahlstein said. The family had been staying at the house, which was up for sale, while doing painting work for a contractor, Dahlstein said.
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