Apartment Fire Forces Evacuation

A malfunctioning heater ignited a second-alarm fire at a two-story apartment building overnight, forced dozens of people into the cold night and displaced two families.

The fire was reported just after 1 a.m. in a 14-unit apartment building at 585 N. Hill Ave., said Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.

"We evacuated 14 units, which means about 30 people were ordered to leave their apartments, " Derderian said.

The fire damaged two units, one the home for a man, woman and their baby, another the home of one person.

Police brought their mobile command vehicle to the scene to shelter elderly and infirm people from the near-freezing temperatures. 

The fire caused $300,000 worth of damage to the structure and $75,000 damage to its contents.

—City News Service.