San Diego
About 30 residents fled an early-morning fire in a downtown apartment complex Sunday. None of the residents of the Mayfair Apartments at 1609 8th Ave. was injured but many lost most of their possessions, a Fire Department spokesman said.
Firefighters responded to the blaze just before midnight. The fire quickly escalated to three alarms but was brought under control by 1:37 a.m., the spokesman said.
Most of the residents were taken to the El Cortez Hotel by Red Cross volunteers. One firefighter was overcome by smoke and was taken to Mercy Hospital.
The fire was reportedly started by a cigarette left in a basement laundry trash can. The Fire Department estimated damage at $240,000.
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