Fire Leaves 139 Tenants Homeless

A fire that swept through an apartment building in Covina early Sunday morning left 139 people homeless and almost 400 seeking temporary shelter after firefighters evacuated other buildings in the complex, officials said.

Six people suffered minor smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Ed Osorio.

The blaze at the Mountain View Venture complex started shortly before 4 a.m. More than 100 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and flames were rolling from the second floor of the three-story building when they arrived, Osorio said.

One firefighter suffered minor burns to his ears. He was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital for further evaluation, Osorio said.

The fire was brought under control about 6:45 a.m., after parts of the second and third floors collapsed.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross was assisting those made homeless by the blaze, and an emergency shelter was set up at Northview High School, at Cypress Street and Azusa Avenue.

Residents of the complex will be allowed to return this afternoon only to retrieve belongings, Osorio said.