By Daily Press staff
Two separate fires broke out in apartments on Sunday, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage and sending one man to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the first fire is believed to be from a cigarette while the other was an unattended candle.
In the first incident, a resident at 2800 Neilson Way was sent to the hospital after his apartment caught fire at about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 9.
The Santa Monica Fire Department responded to the scene at 12:33 a.m. The resident managed to escape the burning apartment, and the blaze was extinguished in 13 minutes. Twenty-one firefighters responded to the scene. The unit had heavy smoke and water damage, as well as some of the surrounding units.
Officials estimate the damage at about $50,000. Fire department officials remind people to be careful with smoking materials. They warn to never smoke in bed or go to sleep smoking, and wet the contents of ashtrays before dumping butts and ashes into a wastebasket.
The second fire, which broke out about 9 p.m. on Sunday was much larger, causing $200,000 in damage to units in the four-story apartment complex on 3100 block of Fourth Street.
Because the complex is situated on the border between Santa Monica and Venice, both the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department received 911 calls. Both departments dispatched engines to the location, and L.A. City Fire units put out the blaze with assistance from Santa Monica firefighters.
The apartment where the fire originated was partially gutted, and there was damage to the units directly above and below the area where the fire started. There were no injuries.
Fire officials remind people to use candles with care. They say to always place candles in non-tip candleholders before lighting them, and keep candles well away from combustibles such as curtains and decorations.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 10, 2002. Read the original PDF.