A Los Angeles County firefighter died Thursday from injuries received while battling a predawn blaze in Rancho Palos Verdes, officials said.
Fire crews were called to the 30700 block of Tarapaca Road around 2 a.m., where a fire had started in the attic of a home, L.A. County Fire Department interim Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news conference Thursday morning.
"The smoke and the fire overcame my member, and he put out a mayday for assistance from the other firefighters that were at the scene," Marrone said. "They were able to quickly locate him, rescue him and then start the lifesaving procedures as necessary."
The veteran firefighter was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he later died.
Officials have not yet released the firefighter's name, but said the crew from Fire Station 83 responded to the blaze. Marrone said the firefighter began his career with the city of Vernon in 2002 and joined the L.A. County Fire Department about two years ago.
He had a wife and two young sons, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said during the news conference.
"Those brave firefighters responded and were able to save the family inside, they were able to get them out to safety, but tragically, one of our own Los Angeles County firefighters lost his life in the effort," she said.
Condolences poured in as the morning wore on.
"We are keeping his family, the firefighters of Station No. 83 and the entire Los Angeles County Fire Department family in our thoughts," Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Dave Bradley said in a statement. "The city will never forget his sacrifice and courage."
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger she was "deeply saddened" by the news.
"He has made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the line of duty. I send my most sincere condolences to his family and Fire Department colleagues. His bravery will not be forgotten," she said.
During a separate news conference Thursday, Mayor Eric Garcetti called for a moment of silence for the fallen firefighter.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said, "When we lose a firefighter in the fire service, it affects us all."
"Today's loss was a reminder that life is fragile, and firefighters' lives are fragile," Terrazas said.
Aerial footage of the hillside home captured by KTLA-TV showed a significant portion of the structure had been burned and charred.
Lt. Charles Calderaro of the L.A. County sheriff's homicide bureau said the firefighter "became incapacitated" after the structure was engulfed in flames. The homicide bureau, along with arson investigators, Cal/ OSHA and the sheriff's crime lab are investigating the cause of the fire, he said.
Marrone said the department's priority was the care of the firefighter's family, as well as his "brothers and sisters in uniform."
Hahn said the firefighter's sacrifice "will never be forgotten."
"It is our firefighters who don't think twice when the bell is rung to respond to whatever is out there — they have no idea until they get there" Hahn said. "I'm sure he had no idea when he left and put his equipment on that sadly he wouldn't be coming back."
Times staff writer Luke Money contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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