Apartment Fire Believed to Be Accident
A fire that destroyed one apartment unit and severely damaged another Sunday was probably started accidentally by a child playing with a lighter, officials said.
Firefighters were called to the apartment building on the 9500 block of Madison Circle about 10:30 a.m. and found two units in flames.
Investigators believe a 4-year-old with a disposable lighter may have sparked the fire in the upstairs unit where he lived. The child’s hair was slightly singed during the blaze, which quickly moved to the downstairs apartment, but otherwise there were no injuries.
More than $55,000 in smoke, fire and water damage kept the tenants of both units from returning home late Sunday, officials said.
The six adults and four children will receive temporary housing and meals from the American Red Cross, spokesman Roy Glauthier said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
