Apartment Fire Ravages Building, Residents Evacuated

TUSTIN, CA — Fire ravaged a Tustin apartment complex early Wednesday morning, leaving two injured and multiple families without a home. The five-alarm fire caused the roof of the two-story apartment building to collapse and left two residents injured. Firefighters still worked to douse hot spots and determine if anyone was unaccounted for as of 8 a.m.

It was just after 3 a.m. when 911 calls alerted authorities of the fire at the Chatham Village Apartments located at the 15700 block of Williams Street, near McFadden Avenue. A facade on the second floor erupted in flames, and complicated fighting the fire, according to OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito.

As of 8:30 a.m. firefighters continued to seek unaccounted for occupants of the complex.

An ambulance took two residents who suffered smoke inhalation to a nearby hospital for treatment. No firefighters were injured, according to reports.

The first arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire on the first floor that quickly extended to the second floor and the attic, according to Bommarito.

"That's how that fire traveled so quickly," he said. "We had roof collapse in about 24 minutes, which is very quick for a building of this size."

Video from the scene showed flames shooting into the early morning sky as 120 firefighters worked to knock out the fire, and residents stood outside the complex, some wrapped in blankets.
Residents in need were able to meet with Red Cross officials, stationed nearby, and were asked to alert firefighters of the missing.

The Tustin Police Department tweeted about 5 a.m. that displaced residents could meet with Red Cross officials at 1952 E. McFadden Ave. in Santa Ana.

"Residents in need will then be relocated to a more permanent location in the city of Tustin," the department tweeted.

The department earlier said it was working with the OCFA, and all its officers were safe and assisting with evacuations of residents. The department also thanked Santa Ana police for responding to the incident and helping with evacuations.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

McFadden Avenue is closed in both directions at Williams Street until further notice.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.