Christmas Tree Fire Destroys Winnetka Home
The piercing sound of a functional smoke alarm helped a man escape injury, when a fast moving fire that originated on or near a Christmas tree, raced through his west home early Saturday afternoon.
The was notified at 1:25 PM on December 30, 2023, of a structure fire at in .
Firefighters arrived quickly to find a 2,159 square foot two-story home, , and the homeowner safely outside.
The man told LAFD responders he was the only person in the residence when he heard the smoke alarm, and soon thereafter discovered his natural Christmas tree fully ablaze in the first floor living room.
It took the well coordinated effort of 54 ÃûæÂÖ±²¥fighters under the command of Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari, just 53 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish stubborn flames on both floors of the wood-frame home, that suffered severe fire damage.
No injuries were reported.
Though the homeowner described the 37 year old residence as being equipped with functional as required by law, the home did not feature optional .
A Inspector formally evaluated the heavily damaged and physically unstable structure, and "Red Tagged" the entire home as unfit for entry.
LAFD responders were pleased to coordinate initial basic monetary assistance for the homeowner through the 's '' (SAVE) Program, and made the homeowner aware of additional community resources.
The man was able to arrange for his own accommodations, and did not require .
The blaze came amidst the ÃûæÂÖ±²¥'s citywide campaign with the Department of Public Works, , to .
Monetary loss from the blaze is still being tabulated. The specific cause of the fire remains under investigation.
