Sun Valley Fire Severely Burns Mother, Daughter, 4

A woman and her 4-year-old daughter were severely burned Thursday during an early-morning fire in their apartment, according to officials.

Michelle Gonzalez, 32, and daughter Angela Hernandez were taken to the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Gonzalez was in near-critical condition late Thursday and Angela in serious condition, said Larry Weinberg, a spokesman for the burn center.

Firefighters responded just after 3 a.m. to a fire at an apartment complex in the 7300 block of Tujunga Avenue, authorities said.

Firefighters quelled the flames in about 10 minutes. Damage to the unit was estimated at $20,000. No other units were damaged.

Gonzalez suffered smoke inhalation and second- and third-degree burns to 44% of her body, Weinberg said. Angela also suffered smoke inhalation and has second- and third-degree burns to more than 20% of her body.

Doctors began cleaning their wounds Thursday to prevent infection, Weinberg said. If mother and daughter respond well to the initial treatment, their conditions could be upgraded by today.

The cause of the fire had not been determined and the incident remained under investigation, said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the Fire Department.