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LAFD: 'Unplug Christmas Trees, Outside Decorations When You're Not Home Or While Sleeping'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters reminded residents on Thursday to unplug Christmas trees and outside decorations when not at home or while sleeping.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, dried trees and faulty electric lights were the cause of two fires Wednesday evening.

The first fire broke out around 9:15 p.m. in the 800 block of North Soto Street in Boyle Heights.

When crews arrived on scene, they found neighbors attempting to contain the fire using an extinguisher to a ground floor apartment in the two-story building.

Firefighters said they were able to rescue two dogs from inside the apartment. No injuries were reported.

The second fire broke out around 9:37 p.m. in a one-story home located in the 13000 block of Pinney Street in Pacoima.

Authorities explained 10 residents were alerted by a smoke alarm, and safely exited the home. No injuries were reported.

When crews arrived on scene, they found the residents using a garden hose to try and control the fire.

"It takes seven years to grow a Christmas tree, and less than seven seconds for the tree to become completely lost to the fire," said LAFD's Brian Humphrey.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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