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4-alarm fire races through luxury Newport Beach apartment building

A 4-alarm blaze that broke out in a luxury apartment building in Newport Beach sent two firefighters to the hospital on Sunday, Sept. 11.

The fire was reported at 10:27 a.m. at the Promontory Point Apartments at 200 Promontory Drive West, across the bay from Balboa Island.

Flames and thick, black smoke could be seen pouring through the roof of an upstairs unit as the fire spread.

The incident commander called for reinforcements three times. A call for a 4-alarm fire can bring in multiple emergency vehicles and several battalion chiefs to coordinate firefighting efforts.

Two firefighters were taken to Hoag Hospital for heat-related injuries, said Newport Beach Fire spokeswoman Natalie May. They were treated and later released.

Firefighters battled a 4-alarm blaze at the Promontory Point Apartments in Newport Beach on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Richard Koehler, contributing photographer)
Firefighters battled a 4-alarm blaze at the Promontory Point Apartments in Newport Beach on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Richard Koehler, contributing photographer)

The blaze, knocked down at 12:16 p.m., reportedly had begun in an apartment on the third floor of the 500 building of the complex, spread to a common attic, and then lit up four more units, May said.

The fire was upgraded to 3 alarms by 11:04 a.m., and to 4 alarms 40 minutes later, she said. Firefighters and engines from Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Orange, Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, Costa Mesa and the Orange County Fire Authority responded.

Early in the afternoon, a  handful of people stood outside the complex waiting to see if they could get back into their apartments.

Among them was Mort Nistanaki, whose unit is in a building adjacent to the one where the fire was first reported.

Nistanaki had left Sunday morning and was driving home along Pacific Coast Highway when he noticed black smoke ahead. As he turned a corner, he saw the flames.

“I saw Newport Beach Fire and felt pretty comfortable that they would put it out quickly,” he said. “I saw them climb to the top of the roof.”

Calmed by their response, Nistanki went to a nearby Starbucks. By the time he got back, the fire was out.

The rent at the Promontory Point Apartments starts at a little more than $4,000 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit and tops out at about $5,750 for two bedrooms and two baths, according to the Irvine Company websites. The apartments have access to a private beach, the website says.

Residents received a text saying they could return to their apartments after the fire was extinguished to assess damage and grab personal items. They also were warned there may be no water or water heating.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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Source: Orange County Register

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