Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mother, Daughter Missing After Fire In Compton [UPDATED]
(Photo by John Hanley/Shutterstock)
()
A 42-year-old mother and her 12-year-old daughter are missing after a fire at a two-story building in Compton.
City News Service reports that firefighters spent around 90 minutes fighting a stubborn fire at a building at 4300 East Compton Blvd. They responded around about 2 a.m., Los Angeles County Fire Dispatch Supervisor Robert Diaz told CNS.
The first firefighters on the scene saw flames shooting through the roof of the building, Diaz said.
County fire Inspector Scott Miller said there was a mechanic's shop on the building's first floor and a loft on the upper floor, where the mechanic, his wife and their four children lived.
Support for LAist comes from
The man and three children got out safely, but the whereabouts of the woman and a daughter were unknown, Miller said. The flames were out at 3:24 a.m., Fox 11 reports. Firefighters then searched through debris for embers still burning and for anyone who might have been inside.
A cadaver dog was brought in to assist in the search of the rubble. The building was described as having "pack rat'' conditions, Miller said.
A firefighter suffered a minor leg injury fighting the blaze and was transported to a
hospital for treatment, Miller said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
UPDATE, 1:44 P.M. ABC 7 reports that human remains have been found in the burned-out building.
Authorities say the mechanic and three of the children who lived above the shop were able to make it out of the building, but they were unable to locate the wife and a daughter.
Neighbors say they were woken up by what sounded like explosions. "It sounded like a big explosion. I thought it was an earthquake at first," neighbor Reginald Simms told ABC 7.
Support for LAist comes from
Fire crews say the explosions could have been propane tanks or the loft collapsing.
Code enforcement officers were also at the scene, trying to determine if the loft was up to code.
UPDATE, 10:31 A.M.: Fox 11 reports that the loft was a "makeshift" one and that firefighters found drug paraphernalia outside the building.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist