Los Angeles firefighters are helping a family recover after a fire ripped through their home in Sun Valley Thursday morning.
The fire was reported around 11 a.m. at a home on the 7700 block of Coldwater Canyon Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Responding firefighters found significant flames inside the 1957 single-story home. As crews on the outside battled the blaze, firefighters searched the interior of home for anyone who may have been trapped by the flames.
Two people and three dogs were removed from the home and taken to safety, but two cats perished in the fire.
One of the people rescued was a 19-year-old man who officials say was badly burned and taken to the hospital in critical condition. That man was also the only resident of the home able to drive, officials added.
After about 21 minutes, firefighters were able to knock down the flames and put the fire out but as they were cleaning up, they saw two young girls crying outside.
“After coming home from school, the ten-year-old twins were met with the sight of their bedroom and everything they owned charred in the front room of the home,” the Los Angeles Fire Department wrote in a post on its website. “After learning they lost all of their belongings … firefighters sought permission to remain assigned to this particular emergency incident for some extra time, and went above and beyond the original call.”
After receiving permission from their supervisors, several of the responding firefighters accompanied the twin girls to a local Target store so they could replace some of the items they had lost, including toiletries, stuffed animals, clothing and bedding they can use while they are unable to return home.
“There is still a long road to recovery for the residents of this damaged home, and the family will be given information and tools to assist them through the process, but for now, the compassion of those LAFD members on scene has provided some comfort and hope to help them through this tragedy,” officials said.
The Fire Department said the firefighters involved in the story aren’t looking for praise, but rather hope the story lifts the spirits of the public and encourages everyone to “pay it forward.” They say it also highlights the importance of safety and being prepared for emergency.
The condition of the 19-year-old who was hospitalized is unclear at this time, but officials said he is in the “very capable hands of the professionals at the hospital.”