Plumber ignites fire in Irvine home, police say

One person was injured and seven people displaced after a plumber ignited a fire in an Irvine home Wednesday morning, authorities said.

About 9:44 a.m., firefighters were called to a blaze in the 400 block of Deerfield Avenue in Irvine where witnesses reported smoke coming from the second story of a triplex, said Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority.

The first responders called for a second alarm, or additional units, he said. Firefighters cut holes in the roof as others inside battled the fire centered in the building's attic and second apartment unit.

Officials said a plumber was doing some work inside one of the walls on the second floor and ignited the blaze. He suffered minor burns and was taken to a nearby hospital. The building's seven occupants have been temporarily relocated, McKeown said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in about 45 minutes, he said.

The Red Cross will assist the displaced residents. Officials had not determined the extent of the damage as of Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph Serna