Explosion, fire at South Pasadena apartment complex injures 1

SOUTH PASADENA >> A woman suffered serious injuries after an explosion and fire at an apartment complex Tuesday morning.

Authorities said the fire displaced residents from six apartments.

Mark Dondaville,division chief for the San Marino and South Pasadena fire departments, estimated damages at $200,000. He said the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

“It’s not suspicious,” Dondaville said.

• Photos: An inside look after the explosion

Several 911 callers reported an explosion and fire at the 12-unit complex in the 1700 block of Huntington Drive at 6:33 a.m.

Dondaville said the explosion happened in one unit.

“It looks like it possibly started in the kitchen,” he said. He added that the resident was sleeping at the time.

Dondaville said other residents at the complex heard the explosion, found the injured woman and called authorities. The injured woman was taken to Huntington Hospital and later transferred to Los Angeles County Medical Center, according to Dondaville.

“We evacuated 12 units when we first got there,” South Pasadena Police Cpl. Craig Phillips said, adding that smoke was coming from the roof.

Dondaville said the fire went into the attic but firefighters stopped it from spreading into the unit next door.

Firefighters knocked down the first alarm fire in about 20 minutes.

The damage was contained to one building.

Anthony Porraz, acting fire captain with the South Pasadena Fire Department, deemed the apartment where the explosion occurred as a total loss.

Fire departments in Alhambra, Pasadena and San Marino assisted South Pasadena firefighters.