By Mary O’KEEFE and Charly SHELTON

Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a residential fire this morning on Kemper Avenue just east of Briggs Avenue.

“The call came in at 6:15 a.m.,” said Capt. Joe Grayson, of LACoFD Station 63. “It appears to be an electrical fire. [The resident] was charging the battery of a car parked in a makeshift carport.”

The origin of the fire appeared to be a vehicle fire, and then spread to a horse trailer that was parked nearby. The home’s detached garage was singed but the fire did not spread to its interior.

Neighbors awoke to the sound of what they described as “explosions.” While some neighbors called 911, others like Sandra Dasaad attempted to fight the fire with garden hoses until the fire department arrived.

Mike Leum, LASD Sheriff’s Reserve Chief, and LASD Sgt. Ray Harley were in the area for a morning run when they saw the smoke.

Leum saw a friend who told him 911 had been called. They were told that  a man and woman resided at the residence, however neighbors were not certain if either of them were home at the time.

“I went around back and Mike went to the front of the house,” Harley said.

They pounded on the door and were able to get the male resident out. The female had left the location earlier.

“There was a lot of debris around the vehicle [and horse trailer],” Grayson said.

Despite the debris the fire was knocked down by 6:30 a.m.

Dennis Erdman, general manager from Crescenta Valley Water District arrived on the scene.

“I try to come by to make certain our equipment worked well for firefighters,” Erdman said.

Station 63 was assisted by Stations 19 and 82, Glendale fire station 28 was called to respond but released.