A 46-year-old man died on Monday after attempting to rescue his dogs from inside a burning recreational vehicle in Rancho Park, authorities said.
The victim lived in the RV at 2734 S. Westwood Blvd. – in a residential neighborhood – with his wife and dogs, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The victim's partner, Rachel Spencer, identified him as David Michael Plott of Alabama. She said they were engaged, not married.
The couple was gathering cans in an alley when a fire broke out inside the RV, according to Spencer. Plott entered the RV in an attempt to save their three dogs.
“I thought he was gonna come out because he’s tough,” Spencer said. “I thought he was gonna come out running with the dogs."
Some men tried breaking the RV windows to save Plott "but it was too late," she said. "I heard him crying 'I love you' and my dogs crying."