Full Breakdown
Glendale Assisted-Living Facility Fire Leaves Residents Injured, Home Destroyed
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Fire Breaks Out and Structure Collapses
Around 4:45 p.m. on Friday, a blaze erupted at an assisted-living home on West Mountain Street in Glendale, California. The Glendale Fire Department reported that the fire quickly filled the six-bedroom, four-bath building with heavy smoke, causing part of the roof to collapse. State inspection records show all smoke detectors in the home passed a March inspection and were functional at the time of the fire. The cause remains under investigation, with the department chief later indicating that an exploding oxygen tank likely contributed to the roof collapse.
On-the-Ground Rescue Efforts
Neighbors Alex Bazinyan, 20, and his 15-year-old brother Narek Bazinyan entered the burning structure to assist nurses in evacuating six elderly residents. Video captured the brothers and other neighbors lifting patients from beds and carrying them to the front lawn while flames roared around them. The brothers described acting on instinct, noting the urgency of the nurses’ cries for help and the overwhelming smoke.
Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
All six patients, an employee, and a neighbor were taken to a hospital with minor injuries; seven people in total were hospitalized as a precaution. Officials said the injured are expected to recover. The fire department worked with local agencies to locate temporary housing for displaced residents while the damaged home was deemed a total loss.
Official Statements & Responses
The Glendale Fire Department confirmed the timeline of the fire, the number of occupants, and that firefighters contained the blaze to the single building. The department chief told KTLA that an oxygen tank explosion likely caused part of the structure to collapse and emphasized that the investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing. City officials are coordinating with charitable groups to provide shelter and support for the affected seniors.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We saw the nurse coming out of the house and she was yelling for help, and then after that we just ran inside,” — Alex Bazinyan
- “If you can help, that's the first thing you should do. Just always help,” — Narek Bazinyan
- “We basically ran in, no second thoughts,” — Narek Bazinyan
- “I go inside this big room and I see all these old people on the floor with catheters,” — Alex
- “It’s that instinct of whenever you see people in need, you want to help them out,” — Alex