Worker, Police Officer Hurt in Pet Hospital Fire
Fire broke out early Friday on the roof of a pet hospital near Culver City, injuring a construction worker and a police officer and forcing the evacuation of at least 80 dogs, cats and birds.
The worker sustained minor burns to his hands and face when he tried to shut off the flow of propane gas used to heat tar for roof construction at Center Sinai Animal Hospital, fire spokesman Alan Barrios said.
Culver City Police Officer Michael Roth suffered minor smoke inhalation while trying to evacuate animals from the hospital in the 10700 block of Venice Boulevard. Both men were taken to Brotman Memorial Medical Center, Barrios said.
The animals were rushed from the building after the smoky fire ignited at 8:45 a.m., Barrios said. None of the pets were injured in the fire, which was extinguished shortly after 9 a.m. No damage estimate was available.
Flames ignited when hot tar used by workers putting a new roof on the building melted a hose filed with propane gas, Barrios said. The animals were returned to their quarters after the smoke cleared.
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