LOMITA, Calif. — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies are being praised for heroic actions after evacuating residents from a burning apartment complex Monday night.

Deputies from the Lomita Station responded around 8:45 p.m. Aug. 25 to multiple 911 calls about a structure fire. They arrived to find a third-floor unit fully engulfed in flames and immediately began evacuating residents without protective gear or breathing apparatus.

One deputy used an emergency fire hose in an attempt to suppress the flames while others forced entry into nearby apartments to clear residents. Their actions helped ensure no civilians were injured.

Five deputies were hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation and are expected to recover. Investigators determined the fire, which caused an estimated $700,000 in damage, was accidental and originated from a malfunctioning electrical stove.

“I am proud of our deputy personnel and their heroic actions,” Captain Kimberly Guerrero said. “Their quick thinking and selflessness significantly reduced property loss and prevented residents from being displaced.”

Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department