Early Morning Blaze on Chester Avenue Burns Storage Area

Pasadena Fire Department units responded Tuesday to a fire reported at an apartment unit at 275 N. Chester Avenue in Pasadena, and were able to control the fire within 10 minutes after the first unit’s arrival.

The fire, said Lisa Derderian, spokesperson for the Pasadena Fire Department, was specifically located at a storage area at the rear of the apartment when Engine 33 arrived on scene at about 4:17 a.m.

The firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the storage and immediately initiated fire attack, with Rescue Ambulance 33 on standby.

Derderian said knockdown – the state of the fire being under control – was declared at 4:27 a.m.

A total of 22 firefighters manning three fire engines, two ladder trucks and one rescue ambulance responded to the fire, led by two battalion chiefs.

Assisting the Pasadena firefighters were personnel from Battalion 9 of the Verdugo City Fire Department.

There were no injuries reported, although damage estimates to the structure reached $5,000, and $400 for the contents of the affected area.

Investigators said the cause of the fire was electrical, and advised homeowners to check the batteries in their smoke detectors at least once every six months.