A five-alarm fire that caused the roof of a building in a two-story apartment complex in Tustin to collapse Wednesday left two residents injured, and firefighters were working to douse hot spots and determine if anyone was unaccounted for.
The fire was first reported at 3:01 a.m. at 15751 Williams Street, near McFadden Avenue, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The address corresponds to the Chatham Village Apartments.
OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito said shortly after 6 a.m. that firefighters were still working to douse hot spots at the site, an effort that was prolonged because a facade on the second floor was involved in the fire and added to the volume of combustibles.
“We do not have all occupants (of the complex) accounted for,” Bommarito told NBC4. “This fire progressed very quickly.” It was unclear how many residents may be missing.
Bommarito said two residents suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to a hospital. No firefighters were injured.
Bommarito said the first arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire on the first floor that quickly extended to the second floor and the attic.
“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.
Bommarito said residents need to meet with Red Cross officials who are stationed nearby to allow firefighters to know who, if anyone, is 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.
McFadden Avenue is closed in both directions at Williams Street until further notice.