Mother, 3-year-old daughter killed in Inglewood fire

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- A mother and her 3-year-old daughter were killed when a fire ripped through a condominium complex in Inglewood Thursday morning.

The blaze broke out at the three-story building around 2:30 a.m. in the 600 block of West Queen Street.

Multiple people who live in the building told Eyewitness News that two people died in the fire. The victims were identified by family members as 22-year-old Angel Reed and her daughter Angelina Perry. The mother and daughter's deaths were not confirmed by Inglewood authorities.

"I had a beautiful daughter and grandchild. She was 3-year-old, it was her birthday next month. Her and my daughter, I don't understand this Jesus, I don't understand," said Lawrence Bowie, Reed's father.

Next Monday was Perry's 23rd birthday, her mother Ruby Bowie said.

Investigators said the fire ignited in one unit and spread to a second. The Los Angeles County Fire Department called in reinforcements to help battle the blaze at the 18-unit condo complex. More than 60 firefighters worked to put out the fire, which was knocked down at around 3:20 a.m.

The entire building was evacuated.

"My dog started barking, and then I looked out the window and somebody was screaming, 'It's a fire.' So I just threw on something and I ran out of the house, and the fire was fully inflamed on the balcony. It was coming out. It was unbelievable," said Melonee Smith, a witness.

Reed was living with her boyfriend, her two young children and her boyfriend's uncle. The boyfriend, her youngest child and uncle escaped. Reed and Angelina were trapped.

Neighbor James Martin said he tried to help, but the flames were just too hot.

The American Red Cross officials were on scene to help the evacuated residents.

"She was a beautiful person, her and my granddaughter. They was well-liked. I'm going to miss them. I don't know if I can take this. Honest to God truth, I don't know if I can really take this," Lawrence Bowie said.

Reed's youngest child, a 2-year-old boy, who escaped the flames, was transported to an area hospital as a precautionary measure. He is expected to be OK.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.