Fire Burns Beachfront Homes in Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach - A firefighter and resident were injured in a fire that damaged three beachfront homes in Sunset Beach, one of which collapsed, authorities said today.

The fire appeared to start in a multi-story home -- which collapsed just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday -- and spread to an adjacent residence in the 16500 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Firefighters fought the blaze from 4:51 p.m. Thursday until a knockdown was declared at 12:32 a.m. today.

The home on the opposite side was saved by firefighters. Two homes sustained heavy damage, but the third was spared serious damage, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown said.

At 10:45 p.m. Thursday firefighters were working to put out flames in the attic of an adjacent home, McKeown said.

One firefighter slipped and fell on the roof, hit a ledge and was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian with injuries to his rib cage.

The resident suffered smoke inhalation and was hospitalized in unknown condition today.

Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley firefighters joined the Orange County Fire Authority to battle the flames, McKeown said.

Firefighters got out of the home before it collapsed, according to McKeown, who said strong onshore winds posed an additional challenge in keeping the flames from spreading.

The preliminary cause of the fire was believed to be a charcoal grill that was blown over by the wind, although authorities say that a cause won't be officially determined until a full investigation is finished.

Fire crews rotated overnight to continue putting out hot spots at the homes.

It was unclear how many residents were displaced.

A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway remained closed early today from 18th to 22nd streets.