Fire Engulfs Winnetka Office Building, Injuring One Resident

Fire Erupts in Winnetka Office Building

• 🔥 A fire caused significant damage to a two-story office building located on Sherman Way in Winnetka.
• 🚨 LAFD crews responded and worked to extinguish the blaze, which had been burning for over an hour.

Neighbor's Harrowing Evacuation Experience

• 🏠 Carl Scott, a resident of the adjacent apartment building, described hearing glass breaking and then the distinct crackling of flames.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He recounted the tense moments of evacuating his wife and 2-year-old son, Carl Jr., from their apartment, which was directly behind the fire's origin.
• 🗣️ Scott and his wife alerted neighbors, knocking on doors and shouting warnings to ensure everyone evacuated safely.

Wife Hospitalized for Smoke Inhalation

• 🏥 Carl's wife is currently hospitalized in Northridge, receiving treatment for smoke inhalation.
• ⚠️ She had inhaled smoke while asleep, exacerbating her pre-existing condition.

Building's Condition and Neighbor Concerns

• 🏢 The office building is reported to be mostly empty and has been a source of concern for neighbors due to previous issues.
• 🏕️ Neighbors had complained about an encampment inside the building and suspect the fire may have started from a warming fire.
• 📉 A portion of the building's roof collapsed during the incident.