NORWALK — Neighbors pulled a 106-year-old man from his burning house Sunday, rescuing him from a fire that killed his pet dog and cat, officials said.
The fire broke out about 1 a.m. at 12107 Lowemont Street, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Sterling Callahan said.
Neighbors saw smoke coming from house where the elderly man lived alone and went in to help, the captain said.
They found the man lying in bed and got him out of the burning home, he said.
When firefighters arrived only minutes later, the elderly man was outside the home, and the room where he was sleeping was “fully involved” with flames,” Callahan said.
The 106-year-old resident suffered minor burns to his legs and smoke inhalation,he said, and was taken to a hospital where he was expected to recover.
A small dog and cat that were inside the home died in the fire, Callahan said. At least two other small dogs escaped the blaze.
The fire caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the house and its contents, he added. It was believed to have been started by an electric floor heater in the room where the man was sleeping.