Fire Tears Through Apartment Complex in Tustin; Two People Injured

A five-alarm fire that heavily damaged a two-story apartment complex in Tustin Wednesday left two residents injured, and firefighters were working to determine if anyone was unaccounted for.

The fire was first reported at 3:01 a.m. at 15751 Williams St., near McFadden Avenue, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The address corresponds to the Chatham Village Apartments.

OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito said the fire was extinguished at 8:04 a.m., and all 38 units were either damaged or destroyed. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Bommarito said the firefighting effort was prolonged because a facade on the second floor was involved in the fire and added to the volume of combustibles.

As of about 8:30 a.m., 62 residents had been accounted for, but the search of the premises was continuing, Bommarito said. It was unclear how many residents may be missing.

Two adult residents suffered smoke inhalation, Bommarito said. One was taken to a hospital and the other was treated at the scene and released.

Bommarito said the first arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire on the first floor that quickly extended to the second floor and the attic.

“That’s how that fire traveled so quickly,” he said. “We had roof collapse in about 24 minutes, which is very quick for a building of this size.”

Video from the scene showed flames shooting into the early morning sky as 120 firefighters worked to knock out the fire and residents stood outside the complex, some wrapped in blankets.

Bommarito said residents were advised to meet with Red Cross officials who were stationed nearby to allow firefighters to know who, if anyone, is missing.

The Tustin Police Department tweeted about 5 a.m. that displaced residents could meet with Red Cross officials at 1952 E. McFadden Ave. in Santa Ana.

“Residents in need will then be relocated to a more permanent location in the city of Tustin,” the department tweeted.

The department earlier said it was working with the OCFA and all its officers were safe and assisting with evacuations of residents. The department also thanked Santa Ana police for responding to the incident and helping with evacuations.

McFadden Avenue was closed in both directions at Williams Street until further notice.

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