Fire destroys assisted living home near Mountain Street; residents displaced
GLENDALE, Calif. — A fire that ripped through an assisted living residence on Friday evening left the home destroyed, displaced its residents and sent seven people to hospitals as a precaution, city and fire officials said.
The blaze broke out shortly before 5 p.m. near Mountain Street and Allen Avenue, sending thick smoke and flames through the six-bedroom, four-bath house and drawing neighbors and firefighters who helped evacuate elderly residents from inside the building, according to authorities and video from the scene.
Firefighters later said two nurses and six elderly patients were inside the home when the fire started. Seven people were hospitalized as a precaution; officials said all are expected to recover. The residence sustained extensive damage and was effectively destroyed by the blaze.
Neighbors' quick actions credited with saving lives
Cellphone and news helicopter video from the scene showed neighbors and first responders lifting and carrying residents from the smoke-filled structure as flames consumed portions of the roof. Among those who rushed in were brothers Alex and Narek Bazinyan, who live nearby.
"We saw the nurse coming out of the house and she was yelling for help, and then after that we just ran inside," Alex Bazinyan said. "I see a bunch of old people on the ground. I started carrying people out one by one."
Narek Bazinyan, who also helped, said they entered without hesitation. "If you can help, that's the first thing you should do. Just always help," he said.
Investigation, safety checks and next steps
Arson investigators have been called in to determine how the fire started. State records show the home passed inspection in March and that all smoke detectors in the six-bedroom, four-bath facility were working properly at that time, officials said.
The Glendale Fire Department said crews were able to contain the blaze to the single building, but aerial video and on-scene reporting showed the roof partially collapsed in areas and heavy smoke damage throughout the structure.
City officials said the fire department is coordinating with local organizations to assist the displaced residents in finding temporary housing and other immediate needs.
- Location: Near Mountain Street and Allen Avenue, Glendale
- Building: Six-bedroom, four-bath assisted living home
- People inside: Two nurses and six elderly patients, according to firefighters
- Hospitalizations: Seven people taken to hospitals as a precaution; all expected to recover
- Investigation: Arson investigators looking into cause
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time of fire | Shortly before 5 p.m. Friday |
| Inspection status | Smoke detectors reported working at March inspection |
| Damage | Home gutted; roof partially collapsed |
The incident highlights the vulnerability of small residential care settings in single-family homes and the vital role neighbors and first responders can play in an emergency. For Glendale residents in the neighborhood, the event closed a block to allow fire crews to work and prompted outreach from city services to assist those displaced.
Fire officials have not released additional identifying information about the facility or the patients, and they said updates would be provided as the investigation proceeds and as displaced residents are rehoused. The Glendale Fire Department continues to work with partner organizations to provide immediate assistance to victims.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Glendale Fire Department or the arson investigation unit as the inquiry continues.
— State Correspondent, WE NEWS
