COMPTON, Calif. — Two people were found dead at the scene of a fire that gutted a two-story building in Compton today, authorities said.
Firefighters were sent to the 5,000-square-foot building at 4300 East Compton Blvd. about 2 a.m., said Los Angeles County Fire Dispatch Supervisor Robert Diaz.
Arriving firefighters saw flames shooting through the roof of the building, Diaz said.
County fire Inspector Scott Miller said there was a mechanic’s shop on the building’s first floor and a loft on the upper floor, where the mechanic, his wife and their four children lived.
The man and three children got out safely, but the whereabouts of the woman and a daughter were unknown, Miller said. A cadaver dog was brought in to assist in the search of the rubble, and early this afternoon, the sheriff’s department announced that the remains of two people were found at the scene.
Authorities were working to determine if the remains were those of the woman and her daughter.
The structure was described as having “pack rat” conditions, Miller said.
A firefighter suffered a minor leg injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment, Miller said. The cause of the fire was under investigation. A damage estimate was not immediately available.
