At least one person has died as a result of a raging wildfire tearing through the LA area Friday, according to a report.
The man had cardiac arrest triggered by the wind-swept blaze in Sylmar — which destroyed dozens of homes and prompted more than 100,000 residents to evacuate the San Fernando Valley, according to ABC 7.
The man’s name was not immediately revealed by Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas at a press conference Friday.
The so-called Saddleridge Brush Fire, which broke out just north of downtown LA on Thursday night, rapidly spread from 60 acres to 4,700 acres (7.3 square miles), damaging at least 45 homes, according to the station.
Officials evacuated 25,000 homes and pleaded with other residents to leave the area.
“I saw people firsthand attempting to fight the fire with garden hoses,” said Terrazas, according to CNN. “Those individuals placed not only themselves in imminent peril” but first responders as well, he said.
Los Angeles firefighters battle the Saddleridge fire near homes in Sylmar, Calif.
AP
Firefighters battle the Sandalwood Fire as it destroys homes in the Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park in Calimesa, Calif., on Oct. 10, 2019.
AP
Jerry Rowe uses a garden hose to save his home on Beaufait Avenue from the Saddleridge Fire in Granada Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11.
AP
Firefighters try to protect surrounding homes as they battle the Sandalwood Fire in the Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park in Calimesa, Calif., on Oct. 10.
AP
A helicopter drops water on a brushfire in the Santa Monica Mountains in Newbury Park, Calif., on Oct. 10.
AP
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tells resident Jerry Rowe that firefighters are coming after the roof of Rowe’s home caught fire from the Saddleridge Fire in Granada Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11.
AP
The Saddleridge Fire flares up near a firefighter in Sylmar, Calif., on Oct. 10.
AP
A woman evacuates her home with her cat as the Saddleridge Fire threatens homes in Granada Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11.
AP
The Saddleridge Fire advances into Granada Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11.
AP
Residents watch a brushfire in the Santa Monica Mountains in Newbury Park, Calif., on Oct. 10.
AP
Water is dropped on a large brushfire Oct. 11 in Sylmar, Calif.
AP
Firefighters arrive to help fight a wind-driven wildfire in Sylmar, Calif., on Oct. 10.
REUTERS
Firefighters work to extinguish a house on fire and prevent it from spreading to other homes during the Saddleridge Fire in Porter Ranch, Calif., on Oct. 11.
EPA
According to the latest reports, the fire is progressing quickly due to the strong winds, prompting an evacuation of the nearby inhabitants.
EPA
Firefighters go door to door making sure residents have evacuated during the Saddleridge Fire in Sylmar, Calif.
EPA
Smoke and strong winds from the Saddleridge Fire result in low visibility in Sylmar, Calif.
EPA
Texas Canyon Station firefighters battle the Saddleridge Fire in Sylmar, Calif., on Oct. 10.
EPA
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