Police Rescue 2 Men From Burning Home

Braving flames, smoke and exploding helium tanks, two San Fernando police officers rescued two men who were trapped in a burning house early Sunday, authorities said.

The fire destroyed a flower and gift shop and damaged an adjoining three-bedroom house, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. Resident Sara Gonzalez, 54, thanked Officers Christian Colelli and Carlos Topete for their actions.

Gonzalez said she smelled heavy smoke about 2 a.m. and rushed to the phone. She and two of her children ran outside before smoke spread to the rest of the house, located in the 400 block of North Maclay Street.

Colelli and Topete, who were on patrol, arrived within a few seconds. Colelli told supervisors he could hear the shop’s helium tanks exploding. He kicked open a door and escorted two men outside, Jacobs said.