Fire Kills Man in Home With No Alarm

A 48-year-old man was killed early Friday morning when a fire consumed his Encino home, authorities said.

Darnell Underwood was unable to escape the flames and possibly died from smoke inhalation, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. His brother, who was also in the house, managed to escape. He was treated for minor injuries and released.

The fire began about 2:20 a.m. in the 17000 block of Tiara Street. Underwood’s brother was sleeping on the living room couch when he awoke to find smoke and flames sweeping through the single-story house that wasn’t equipped with smoke alarms, authorities said.

Investigators believe the fire may have started in an enclosed patio at the rear of the house.

Flames raced through the hallway trapping Underwood in his bedroom at the front of the house. Instead of climbing out of his window, the victim opened the bedroom door--possibly causing a “back-draft” effect, said Capt. Steve Ruda of the Fire Department. Back draft refers to explosive combustion that occurs when new-found oxygen fuels a fire.

“The fire was looking for oxygen to burn and probably found it when the victim opened the door,” Ruda said. “If he had felt the door and there was heat, he probably would have realized there was a serious fire. This was very tragic.”

Firefighters gained control and extinguished the flames within 15 minutes. Damage is estimated to be more than $100,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Risling is a Times Community News correspondent.