LAKE FOREST, Calif., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines sprang into action Sunday, waking sleeping guests -- carrying one elderly man to safety -- after fire broke out in a Southern California motel.
The eight Marines -- who were staying at the three-story Americas Best Value Inn in Lake Forest while on leave ahead of Monday's anniversary of the military branch's creation -- pounded on doors and shouted to alert other guests to the danger, after spotting flames and smoke about 8 a.m., KTLA-TV in Los Angeles reported.
It took about 100 firefighters several hours to extinguish the six-alarm fire. Fire officials said much of the complex was damaged and sections likely were a total loss, the station said.
No injuries were reported, although one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.
Pfc. Thomas O'Brien said he first saw the fire burning at the back of a second-floor vending machine. The cause of the blaze had not been determined.
