A Los Angeles County firefighter died Thursday after he was injured battling a house blaze, officials said.
"This morning, our LA County Fire Department responded to a house fire in Rancho Palos Verdes. They were able to save the family inside, but tragically, one of our own Los Angeles County Firefighters lost his life in the effort," Janice Hahn, a member of the County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement.
The firefighter has not been identified. Hahn said he is survived by a wife and two young sons.
"His bravery and sacrifice will not be forgotten," Hahn said. She said at a news conference that Thursday was a "sad, tragic day” for the county.
Crews were called to the fire in the home's attic at about 2:20 a.m., NBC Los Angeles reported.
The firefighter was overcome by smoke and fire while inside, Interim Chief Anthony Marrone said.
“He put out a mayday for assistance from other firefighters,” Marrone said. “They were able to locate him and rescue him," but he died at a hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
CORRECTION (Jan. 6, 2022, 10:45 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this article misstated the agency the firefighter worked for. It is the Los Angeles County Fire Department, not the separate Los Angeles Fire Department. It also misidentified Janice Hahn’s government position. She is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, not the supervisor of Los Angeles County.
