Possibly Suicidal Man Barricades Himself In Burning Ladera Ranch Home

LADERA RANCH, CA -- A possibly suicidal man barricaded himself in a burning home in Ladera Ranch this afternoon, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from the exterior while sheriff's deputies negotiated his surrender, authorities said.

The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. at 2 Lindenwood Farm, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz. The man finally emerged about 4:15 p.m. and surrendered, he said.

"When deputies got there, the home was on fire and there was individual barricaded in there who wouldn't come out,'' Kurtz said. "So we had to do firefighting from the exterior and couldn't get into the home.''

About 30 firefighters managed to get the blaze under control while SWAT officers negotiated with the man inside the two-story home, Kurtz said.

Deputies were first called about a man threatening suicide, according to sheriff's Lt. Mark Stichter.

The man, who was not immediately identified, was taken to an area hospital after emerging from the residence. He appeared to have some injuries on his arms, possibly from breaking windows in the residence, according to Kurtz.

The fire damage was limited to the second floor and the flames did not spread to neighboring homes, the captain said.

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--City News Service/Photo courtesy of OCFA PIO‏@OCFA_PIO on Twitter