House fire in Northridge leaves 1 hospitalized; cause found to be flames from a barbecue
A woman was taken to a hospital Wednesday, July 8, with second-degree burns suffered during a house fire in Northridge.
The fire was reported about 7:15 p.m. at a one-story home in the 8900 block of Wilbur Avenue, between Nordhoff and Rayen streets, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Investigators determined that the fire started accidentally when flames from a barbecue grill reached the home, officials said. The blaze had extended into the building’s attic before 39 firefighters managed to extinguish it in about 20 minutes.
“Many people are surprised to learn that grills, barbecues and hibachis are involved in approximately 10,600 home fires annually in the United States – that lead to an average of 10 civilian fire deaths and cause more than $149 million in direct property damage,” Humphrey said in a statement. “In this case, a woman suffered painful burns, but is thankfully expected to survive.”
The woman was taken to a hospital with second-degree burns, Humphrey said. No other injuries were reported.