A Saturday morning fire in a Barstow, California apartment sent one tenant to the hospital with burn injuries and smoke inhalation. The Daily Press reports the Barstow Fire Protection District responded to a call at the Santa Fe Communities Mobile Home Park. When crews arrived on scene they found a fire inside apartment K.

Firefighters obtained reports that the flames trapped two people inside the apartment. Capt. Nick DiNapoli and firefighter/paramedic Zachary Courtney entered the building and rescued one man who was trapped by the flames. They later learned that a neighbor attempted to rescue the first man before escaping out a window.

Paramedics performed CPR and transported the man to Barstow Community Hospital where he is listed in critical condition with burn injuries and smoke inhalation. Cooperation from the Marine Corps Logistics Base Fire Department and Fort Irwin Fire Department, along with Barstow’s firefighters, got the blaze under control and extinguished before the fire did more damage.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Learn How to Reduce Burn Risks in Apartments and Mobile Homes

Small spaces like apartments and mobile homes can make fires spread quickly, both within the apartment or mobile home and to other units nearby. If you live in a small apartment or trailer, you should be aware of burn risks from:

  • Space heaters and hot plates, heat from which might cause a fire, or contact burns from touching these items
  • Overloaded electrical outlets that might spark and start a fire, not to mention electrical burns
  • Using chemicals in poorly ventilated areas, which might cause health conditions associated with the vapors or could even cause chemical burns if poorly managed
  • Candles and heated oil diffusers

While some apartments might have fire sprinklers, mobile homes and trailers may not. Therefore, it is important to have a fire extinguisher on hand in the event a fire breaks out.

If you live in a multi-level apartment complex, you should develop a fire escape plan and identify the safest route to get out. Remember that you should not use elevators during a fire, so locate the nearest staircase. If you or a loved one is not able to navigate stairs, talk to your building manager about designating a safe space for immobile residents to wait for fire rescue.

For more information on burn care and prevention, visit our blog.