LAPD Officers Rescue Woman From Burning Apartment

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, March 16, 2000

Los Angeles – On Thursday, March 16, 2000 at approximately 1:00 a.m., Los Angeles Police Officers from the Pacific Area Community Police Station responded along with the Los Angeles Fire Department to the 3700 block of Canfield Avenue when they heard cries for help from a victim trapped with smoke pouring from her second floor balcony window.

Pacific Area Officer’s Randy Goddard, Darius Lee, Vicki Magee and Narcisco Ortiz were conducting a traffic stop on Venice Boulevard at Canfield Avenue when they heard the victim screaming. Officer’s Magee and Ortiz began evacuating the other apartment units in the building while Officers Goddard and Lee responded directly to the victim’s apartment with fire extinguishers from their police vehicles.

Officers Goddard and Lee kicked the front door and found the living room engulfed in flames. Using their fire extinguishers, the officers entered the apartment through the flames and put down the fire, keeping it from spreading. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived and assisted with the rescue of the victim, who was uninjured thanks to the quick response of the involved officers. Officer’s Goddard and Lee were treated for smoke inhalation at Brotman Medical Center and released.

Pacific Area Detectives and Los Angeles City Fire Department Arson Investigators are investigating this incident as a possible arson/attempt murder investigation. The victim was at home when the suspect poured gasoline underneath the front door of the victim’s second floor apartment and then ignited it. The resulting fire quickly spread through the living room, blocking the victim’s only route of escape.

The suspect in this case is the victim’s ex-boyfriend and the motive is believed to be retaliation for a recent break up in the relationship. The suspect is currently outstanding and the investigation is on going.

For further information, please contact Arson Investigator David Liske, Los Angeles City Fire Department at 213-485-6095.

For members of the media that were unable to interview the Officers, Officers Goddard and Lee will be available for interviews today, March 16, 2000 at 8:00 p.m. at Pacific Area Community Police Station located at 12312 Culver Boulevard.

For Release 3::00 pm PST
March 16, 2000