Neighbors Rescue Family From 2nd Story in Apartment Fire

A woman and her children were saved from a burning townhouse in Orange early Wednesday morning by neighbors who heard screams and arrived to help lower the family from their second-story bedroom window.

Eighteen-month-old Andy and 5-month-old Anny were taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor smoke inhalation and were expected to quickly recover. Their mother, Hong Lei Doan, 22, was treated at the scene for minor injuries, fire officials said. A spokeswoman at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange said another child, 3-year-old Amy Doan, also was transported to the hospital after the fire, treated and released.

The 5:39 a.m. fire was put out in 15 minutes by 30 firefighters from Orange and Garden Grove. One firefighter suffered a broken finger, but Orange Fire Battalion Chief Doug Mochizuki said he was grateful the injuries were not more severe.

“We were fortunate that nobody was seriously injured in the fire, especially at that time of day,” Mochizuki said.

“It was pretty scary,” said Thomas Baker, who lives in the adjoining unit. He was one of several neighbors who ran over to help the children to the ground during the early-morning blaze.

The fire originated in a stove hood in the kitchen, officials said. The family’s smoke detector alerted them to the blaze.

The blaze damaged a wall that connects two of the units in the complex in the 700 block of Fondren Street. The attic was also burned. Officials estimated the damage at $35,000.

Baker, 37, said he woke up early Wednesday and smelled smoke.

“I started checking my apartment out, making sure it was safe,” he said. “Then I started realizing that it wasn’t mine, but may be next door.”

He said that when he ran next door to investigate, he saw smoke in the living room and began banging on the front door. Baker said he heard the smoke alarm go off inside and went back to his home to call 911.

When Baker returned, he said he heard shouts from the second-story bedroom, where the family gathered to avoid the flames and smoke blocking their path to the front door. Doan and her children were then helped to safety.