FIREFIGHTERS SAVE UNCONSCIOUS WOMAN FROM FIRE IN EL CAJON, 2 SERIOUSLY INJURED

Late night fire displaces 4 adults and 2 children

January 31, 2012 (El Cajon)—A Heartland Fire & Rescue crew from El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire at a board and care facility at 1460 E. Lexington Avenue in El Cajon late last night. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the facility, with reports of a trapped victim.

The fire was knocked down in approximately 15 minutes. Fire crews immediately started an emergency rescue operation pulling an unconscious woman from a bedroom, and immediately began CPR. Another victim, suffering from smoke inhalation, was assisted out of the structure by one of the co-tenants.

Both victims were transported to the Regional Burn Center at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest. The first victim is in critical condition, the second in serious but stable condition, said Monica Zech, spokesperson for El Cajon.

A total of four adults and two children were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. Damage to the structure and contents has been estimated at $100,000. The cause of the fire is now under investigation by El Cajon Police and Heartland Fire & Rescue.

A joint investigation by Heartland Fire Rescue, El Cajon Police, and the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson Task Force determined that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning wall heater in the living room that ignited a couch.

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