Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to reports of a fire alarm on the 3400 block of Ransom St. at approximately 12:25pm on Monday, Dec. 21. Approximately one minute later, the response was upgraded to a reported structure fire at the same location, where fire units arrived onscene four minutes later and reported heavy smoke and fire coming from an apartment on the second story of a three-story apartment complex.
Knockdown of the fire occurred at approximately 1:10pm, according to LBFD officials.
During the process, firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack and confined the fire to four units. Three units sustained significant damage. There was an immediate exposure concern to adjoining apartments both next to and directly above the apartment of origin. A second alarm response was requested at 12:33pm to support fire operations.
One firefighter was injured during suppression operations and was transported by LBFD paramedics to a local area hospital for further evaluation. The firefighter sustained a minor injury to his knee. In addition, one resident complained of smoke inhalation and was subsequently evaluated by paramedics. That individual did not seek further medical care and was released onscene, according to officials.
At the height of the fire, there were 47 firefighters assigned to the incident. The cause of the fire has been determined as accidental due to the use of a portable heating device.
The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team also responded and provided additional support to the displaced residents. A $100 Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) card was also issued to three families that were displaced through a statewide victim-assistance program supported by the LBFD in partnership with the California Fire Foundation.
