Apartment damaged in New Year’s Eve fire

Laguna Beach firefighters extinguished a fire at a 30-unit apartment complex on New Year’s Eve, containing the damage to one unit.

Around 4 p.m. Saturday, the sound of the apartment’s smoke alarm alerted nearby neighbors, who called the fire department, according to a news release from the fire department. Firefighters arrived and quickly stopped the fire from spreading to other apartments in the complex in the 200 block of Lower Cliff Drive.

“The presence of a working smoke alarm certainly increased the early 911 notifications and our emergency response to this incident. As a result, no one was injured and our firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit ...,” Fire Division Chief Dan Stefano said in a statement.

Officials determined the cause was related to a wall heater, but the investigation is ongoing. Preliminary property damage is estimated at $50,000, according to the release.

“With cooler, winter temperatures now starting to be felt during this time of year, it is vital that combustible items, such as floor rugs, window coverings, clothing, are not placed on top of, adjacent to or within 3 feet of any type of home heating device,” Stefano said.

—Kelly Parker

Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN