Neighbors rescue woman during fire; 2 hospitalized

By Mary Manning, Jeff O'Brien

Published Thursday, March 5, 2009 | 9:03 p.m.

Updated Thursday, March 5, 2009 | 9:29 p.m.

Neighbors pulled a woman through a window to safety after a couch caught fire outside her home, causing heavy smoke that sent the woman and one of her rescuers to the hospital, fire officials said.

The fire broke out about 7:30 p.m. at a fourplex home at 1740 Breckenwood Court, north of East Owens Avenue and west of Nellis Boulevard.

The fire started on a couch outside the house, near the front door, Clark County Fire Department Capt. Greg Valle said. The blaze was confined to the piece of furniture, but caused a significant amount of smoke, he said.

Three children escaped the fire without injury, he said. Neighbors pulled a woman in a first-floor unit to safety through a side window, Valle said. She and one of the rescuers suffered smoke inhalation, he said. There were no burns reported.

Firefighters doused the blaze in moments.

The Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting one adult and three children displaced by the blaze, fire department spokesman Scott Allison said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage was estimated at $50,000, Valle said.