Verdugo Hills Fire Entrapment Fatalities 1923

Clarence Edwards and Joseph McGahan, plumbers by trade, volunteered to fight a rapidly developing brush fire in the Verdugo Hills in Los Angeles County, when they were entrapped and perished. The two men drove together in McGahan's car to access the fire, and became surrounded by fire some time after. They attempted to escape by the only remaining route available to them: further upslope. Their bodies were found by other firefighters some time later. Whether the men were part of a larger crew or were working independently and without direction is unclear from existing reports. 30 firefighters received minor injuries. At least two people not involved in fire suppression were also killed, according to reports.