Man Killed After Rushing Back Into Burning Home In Mission Hills

MISSION HILLS, CA — A man died in a Mission Hills duplex fire after rushing back into the burning building, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Three others made it out alive.

It's the second time this month that a man died after rushing back into a burning home in Los Angeles County. The lack of functional smoke alarms may have contributed to the deadly blaze, according to authorities.

The fire broke out in the early morning hours at a one-story duplex in the 10800 block of North Noble Avenue, according to os Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. Firefighters were called to the 1,856-square-foot home at about 3 a.m. and encountered heavy flames, he said.

There were four people in the home when the fire broke out, and they all fled the building, according to officials.

"One of four adults who initially escaped the blaze returned inside to retrieve personal belongings prior to the Fire Department's arrival, and was later found deceased inside his flame-filled residence," Humphrey said in a statement.

Firefighters put out the fire in 22 minutes. The victim's name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives.

"An adult female resident who safely escaped the flames later came forward with minor medical complaints related to smoke exposure. LAFD paramedics treated and transported her to an area hospital in fair condition," Humphrey added. "

No other injuries were reported, Humphrey said."Firefighters discovered no evidence of smoke alarms within the pair of occupancies, as required by law. The 72-year-old structure was not equipped with optional residential fire sprinklers."

Earlier this month, three people were killed in a house fire in Arcadia. Among the dead was a man who ran back inside to help others. In that fire, the man died rushing up the stairs to try to save two people trapped on the second floor. The Good Samaritan's body was reportedly found along with two others on the staircase.

SEE ALSO: 3 Killed, 2 Injured In Arcadia House Fire

Fire department officials urge residents to make sure their homes have functional smoke detectors, which can be key to escaping a blaze before smoke and fire become overwhelming, especially during the night hours when residents are sleeping. In addition to having multiple smoke detectors, residents should routinely test them to make sure the batteries are still working.