Firefighters battling a fire inside a vacant and boarded-up two-story triplex in Koreatown Monday morning rescued a critically injured homeless man, authorities said.
The 42-year-old man suffered second and third degree burns to more than 50 percent of his body, as well as complications from smoke inhalation. He was rushed to an area trauma center in critical condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The fire was reported at 3:22 a.m. at 944 S. Dewey Ave. in a triplex built in 1921, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
The fire was out in 19 minutes, at 3:41 a.m., before flames could damage adjacent structures, Humphrey said.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.