(L.A.) Thomas Rutherford, 58, Died at a Residence
Case Number: 2025-17171
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 58-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Thomas Rutherford.
Manner of Death: Accident
Cause of Death: Inhalation of Products of Combustion and Thermal Injuries
RIP THOMAS RUTHERFORD ( November 2, 2025)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday.
2025-17171 THOMAS RUTHERFORD 58 Residence 2025-17170 SEROUZH SETRAKVARTANES 77 Residence
Description from LAFD’s YouTube Video:
At 11:10 p.m. on November 1, 2025, the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire in the 10900 block of North Scoville Avenue in Sunland.
Firefighters arrived at a one-story, single-family dwelling with fire and smoke showing. An 87-year-old man was found outside the home with critical burn injuries. Firefighter/paramedics provided immediate medical care and transported the patient to the hospital.
With reports of additional occupants possibly trapped inside, firefighters initiated an interior fire attack while conducting a primary search. Tragically, two adult males were found inside the home and determined dead on scene.
Four more adults, already outside the home on LAFD arrival, suffered varying degrees of smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital. One patient declined medical transport, bringing the total patient count for the incident to eight.
A total of 36 firefighters, operating under the command of Battalion Chief Scott Hilton, extinguished the fire in 30 minutes.
As is standard protocol for a fatality fire, LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) is investigating the cause. While firefighters did not report hearing any alarms on arrival, it remains unclear whether the 1,359 ft² home, built in 1948, was equipped with working smoke alarms.
There were approximately 16 people displaced from the two buildings on the property and the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region assisted with their immediate needs.