Fatality Fire in University Park

Fire in one unit of a three-story apartment building in University Park claimed the life of a man in his 50s.

At 1:51PM on October 7, 2025 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 2300 block of S Portland St, located in the University Park neighborhood.

Upon arrival, the first fire company encountered a mixed two- and three-story apartment building with smoke visible from the second floor. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack while the truck company deployed ladders to perform vertical ventilation on the roof.

Crews quickly located and extinguished a fire confined to a single unit on the second floor, successfully preventing its spread to adjacent apartments. During their primary search, firefighters discovered one male victim inside the affected unit. The man, believed to be in his 50s, was beyond medical help and determined dead at the scene.

The 28,432-square-foot structure, built in 1964, was equipped with functioning smoke alarms that alerted residents and prompted evacuation prior to LAFD's arrival.

In accordance with fatal fire protocol, the LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) is investigating the cause of the fire. The identity and official cause of death of the victim will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Incident Photos