Three injured in Corona del Mar fire

Two Newport Beach police officers and a man were injured during an afternoon fire in Corona del Mar on Monday, authorities said.

The fire destroyed an apartment above the garage of a two-story home in the 600 block of Marguerite Avenue.

The man, who lived in the unit, was hanging outside of the second-story window, said Todd Knipp, a battalion chief with the Newport Beach Fire Department.

Police initially tried to pull him out, as he was unable to do so himself, but were unsuccessful. A responding firefighter eventually succeeded, pulling him out to the police who were waiting below, Knipp said.

The man was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. His condition was not immediately available, but Corona del Mar Today described his injuries as critical.

The fire was reported to authorities about 2:38 p.m. and was extinguished by about 3:33 p.m., according to acting Assistant Fire Chief Chip Duncan.

The two officers suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation. They were transported to a hospital and released, Knipp said.

At the time of the fire, the man was the only one in the house, said Knipp.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30