75 Left Homeless by Pasadena Fire

A candle started a fire Sunday in a three-story Pasadena apartment building that left 75 people homeless, officials said.

A child and a mother were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene in the 1200 block of North Hudson Avenue, said Lisa Derderian, a spokeswoman for the Pasadena Fire Department.

Damage to the wood-and-stucco building was so widespread that it was red-tagged by fire officials, and residents will not be allowed to return for several days, Derderian said.

A resident knocked over a candle about 7 a.m., starting a blaze that spread quickly throughout the building, Derderian said. The Fire Department knocked down the blaze by 7:25 a.m., but all 47 units had to be evacuated. About 80% of the building had some smoke or water damage, fire officials said.

Damage to the structure was estimated at up to $1.5 million.