Man saves neighbors from burning home

A Huntington Beach man rescued his elderly neighbors from their burning house Monday after he heard noises indicative of a fire.

Joey Falzon was able to help the older couple out of their home in the 6000 block of Crista Palma Lane at about 1:30 a.m. Monday before firefighters arrived, according to a Huntington Beach Fire Department statement.

The male resident suffered from burns and was transported to UCI Medical Center. His wife escaped injury, according to fire Capt. Bob Culhane.

According to authorities, Falzon approached his neighbor’s home and saw someone inside. As flames extended from a second-floor window, he proceeded to kick in the front door and escort the residents out of the house to a curb across the street.

Falzon told officials that the inside of the home was “uncomfortably hot.”

The female resident told officials that she was downstairs when she was awakened by the sound of the fire. She said her husband was also downstairs.

Authorities were able to douse the flames by 1:50 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Culhane said the woman did not hear a smoke detector. He added that residents should make sure their smoke detectors are working properly and practice an escape route from their homes.

—Anthony Clark Carpio

Twitter: @acocarpio