Jan. 06--A fire that destroyed a North Hollywood home early Tuesday was only able to grow so quickly because the family had kept an old, brittle Christmas tree, fire officials said.
The blaze broke out about 3:45 a.m. inside a home in the 11300 block of Delano Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The first crews to arrive found the home already engulfed in flames, said department spokesman Erik Scott.
The home's residents made it out safely but three firefighters suffered minor burns while putting out the flames. The three were transported to a hospital in fair condition, authorities said.
While the cause of the fire is under investigation, LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey said investigators noted that a scorched Christmas tree was near the ignition point and probably contributed to how fast the flames swallowed the home. The incident serves as a reminder for residents to remove and recycle trees after the holidays, officials said.
The fire caused an estimated $160,000 in damage to the home and the property inside.
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