Fire Warnings Urged for Christmas Trees

Responding to several house fires sparked by Christmas trees, Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon has recommended that all Christmas tree vendors in the city be required to warn buyers about the fire dangers of the trees.

Alarcon made his recommendation Tuesday to the city’s Board of Fire Commissioners and introduced the idea in the form of a motion to the City Council, which is likely to act on the recommendation by next week.

He also recommended that the fire warning be provided in English and Spanish and that the city consider launching a campaign to educate residents about the dangers of Christmas tree fires.

An Alarcon spokeswoman said the councilman’s suggestion was made partly in response to a house fire in Sylmar that was ignited when a small boy put a lit candle too close to a Christmas tree.

A 3-year-old boy who was found in the burning house, unconscious and not breathing, died Monday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. The boy’s mother and brother also suffered burns and other injuries in the fire.