Investigation Underway After David Terhune, 66, Died in Apartment Fire on Portland Street near the University of Southern California
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (November 11, 2025) – A 66-year-old man identified as David Terhune has tragically died in a Los Angeles apartment fire on the 2300 block of Portland Street.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the fire started around 1:50 PM on Tuesday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the second story of the three-story apartment building to put out the blaze.
They entered one of the units and located David Terhune. Tragically, he was beyond medical aid and later pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the apartment fire that killed David Terhune remains under investigation.
Liability for Los Angeles County Apartment Fires
Property owners in California have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 1714, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.” Property owners should take a number of measures to protect guests from fires.
- Fire Detection: Property owners must install fire detection and warning systems such as smoke alarms and routinely inspect them.
- Infrastructure: Property owners should ensure that all of the electrical infrastructure in their building is conducted by a licensed electrician. They must repair any exposed wiring to prevent circuits from becoming overloaded.
- Safe Storage: Property owners should ensure that all fuels and chemicals are stored in a secure location inside of approved containers.
- Design: Property owners must ensure that all residents have access to clear exits that are unobstructed by clutter.
When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. Failing to take action to protect residents from a fire could form the basis of a negligence claim. Any person injured in the resulting fire may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. This right extends to the family of any person who died. They are able to hold the person who owned or managed an apartment accountable through a wrongful death claim.
Steps to Take After Los Angeles County Apartment Fires
Many people are killed or seriously injured every year in residential fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Of the reported home fires in 2019–2023, 68 percent occurred in one- or two-family homes, including manufactured homes. These fires caused 85 percent of the home fire deaths, 67 percent of the home fire injuries, and 79 percent of the direct property damage.” Certain steps should be taken after any apartment fire results in an injury or fatality.
- Police: The police and fire department should be contacted as soon as possible so that they can begin an investigation. The cause of any fire can impact what entity might be legally responsible.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to the fire should be collected and preserved. These could be extremely useful when assessing damages.
- Independent Review: The unique circumstances that led up to the fire should be carefully reviewed by a team with experience in premises liability claims. They can assess whether or not a landlord acted negligently and therefore contributed to the fire and any resulting injuries.
Fires tend to be complex events. The factors that could contribute to any fire may take place hours, days, or weeks beforehand. Even if a fire was completely unpreventable, there still may be negligence on the part of property owners if the smoke alarms and related systems were nonfunctional. The family of any person who died in a residential fire may be able to seek some measure of transparency and accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Los Angeles County Apartment Fires
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of David Terhune. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies could be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. When was the last time the smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in this building were inspected? Was the building compliant with all fire codes?
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County apartment fire? Our team of apartment fire investigators is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding property owners accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
