Lake Forest Condominium Fire Sends 1 To Hospital

LAKE FOREST, CA —A natural gas leak was the cause of a fire at a Lake Forest condominium Tuesday afternoon, fire officials said. The blaze sent a column of dark smoke into the sky as multiple concerned neighbors called 911.

The house fire was reported in the 26000 block of Fern Glen just before 3 p.m., according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Jon Muir. One resident was found by the first firefighters to the scene, suffering third-degree burns from the blaze that severely damaged the residence.

The garage of the home was fully engulfed in flames when the OCFA arrived. Firefighters noticed flames extended into the residence and attic.

50 firefighters responded to battle the blaze, battling both in the garage, inside and outside of the home. Firefighters used the ladder truck to reach the roof and cut ventilation, Muir said.

Once the fire was extinguished, it began again, and firefighters determined that natural gas was leaking from a broken pipe inside the garage.

The gas company arrived and shut down that leak right away according to Muir.

It remains unknown if the home had working smoke detectors. The person found inside the home was were taken by ambulance to OC Global Hospital in unknown condition, Muir said.

"If you have a fire in your residence, please remember always to have an escape plan and follow it," Muir told Patch. "Every family should have an emergency escape route and a meeting plan. Always get a safe distance away before doing a headcount and making sure your family members are safe."

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