Berkeley woman taken to hospital after house fire
Firefighters were advised of an 80-year-old woman who "might still be inside the home."
A Berkeley woman was rushed to the hospital Friday night after a house fire on Browning Street, according to preliminary reports.
"We smelled the strong smoke from our house … and had to close all the doors and windows, just before 9:45," a Scanner reader reported. "Smelled like burning plastic or other noxious stuff."
According to radio dispatches, the Berkeley Fire Department was sent to the 2400 block of Browning Street, between Dwight Way and Channing Way, at about 9:40 p.m. after someone called 911.
Firefighters were advised of an 80-year-old woman who "might still be inside the home," according to emergency dispatches. "She's going to need help getting out."
Arriving firefighters found a working fire at the two-story home, with smoke pouring from the structure.
They quickly began looking for the resident inside.
Crews described the structure as a "heavy content home" as they worked to put out the fire and release the smoke.
"Fire is knocked down, we still have some residual heat," a firefighter reported about 10 minutes after crews arrived.
The resident was in an ambulance on her way to Highland Hospital, the regional trauma center, by 9:50 p.m. She had "full body burns" and was receiving respiratory assistance, according to early reports.
The fire was under control as of 9:53 p.m., according to radio dispatches.
As of publication time, the Berkeley Fire Department remained at the scene, according to public records.
The Scanner will seek additional details and update this story if they become available.
