Canoga Park, CA – On December 31, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex at 7909 N Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park, where smoke was visible from a unit. Firefighters encountered a cluttered apartment, described as having “pack rat” conditions, with a small contents fire in the main room. The occupant was seen leaving minutes before the blaze was reported, and the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
LAFD units from Fire Station 72, located on Canoga Avenue, arrived at the multi-unit apartment complex at 6:00 p.m., observing smoke emanating from a second-floor unit, per an LAFD alert on X by @LAFDalerts. Inside, firefighters found a small fire burning among cluttered belongings—piles of junk, furniture, and miscellaneous objects—creating hazardous “pack rat” conditions, according to KTLA. Crews extinguished the blaze within 10 minutes, by 6:10 p.m., preventing spread to adjacent units or the building’s structure.
No injuries were reported, but the apartment sustained minor damage, primarily smoke and charring to the main room’s contents. The occupant, described as an adult male by witnesses, was seen leaving the unit minutes before the fire was reported, raising questions about their involvement, though no foul play has been confirmed. LAFD arson investigators are probing the cause, with potential factors including electrical faults, candles, or unattended appliances, common in cluttered homes. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Topanga Division assisted with scene security, and no arrests have been made. Tips can be reported to LAFD at (213) 893-9800 or LAPD Topanga at (818) 756-4800.
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