Two people were killed and one person was injured in a fiery street-racing crash in Anaheim early Saturday, police said.
The crash was reported about 2 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Ball Road.
First responders found a vehicle crashed into the patio of an apartment and was engulfed in flames, police said.
Two people were found dead inside when the fire was extinguished. A third person who was outside of the vehicle suffered severe burns and is in critical condition, police said.
Officials believe the third victim was inside the vehicle, but it is unknown if he was ejected or got out of the vehicle himself. He suffered second-and-third degree burns, but is expected to survive.
The fire was contained to the outside of the apartment, causing minor structural damage and three people were displaced as a result, police said.
Martin Sanchez, a homeowner in the area, said he witnessed the crash and sought to help save the third victim.
“When I opened the door the guy was trying to get out. He was screaming for help to put water on him because he was on fire,” Sanchez said. “I ran first and tried to help him because he was stuck. Finally, I got to the hose and put water on him.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that the burned vehicle was involved in a street race with another vehicle. Both vehicles were heading west on Ball Road at high speeds when the victim vehicle lost control, jumped the north curb, sheared a light pole, struck several vehicles and caught fire before crashing into the apartment building, police said.
“The victims in the vehicle were badly burned and no demographics were distinguishable,” police said in a news release.
The make and model of the burned vehicle were also undistinguishable, police said.
At least five other vehicles that were parked near the apartment building were damaged in the crash.
Police were looking for a red sports car that the victim vehicle was racing and fled the scene. Anyone with information can call crime stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.