Due to the nature of the home’s construction, the last SPFD engine left the scene at about 8:30 a.m. after setting up a fire watch, “patrol the structure to ensure that the fire was completely out,” he added.The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature but is still under investigation. The home did have smoke detectors in working condition. The fire caused extensive damage in the bottom floor bedroom - believed to be the origin of the blaze - and to about 50 percent of the upstairs area, said AAC Byrum.Estimated losses include $350,000 for the property and about $50,000 for contents. The pre-incident value of the property is approximately $500,000.“Through the cooperative efforts of the Ventura County, Ventura City and Santa Paula fire departments, we were able to at least save some of the structure,” that will aid rebuilding. “We consider that since the occupants were able to escape the fire that it was an added bonus. . .property is easily replaced, lives aren’t,” AAC Byrum noted.
Four escape fire on La Vuelta
May 31, 2002
Santa Paula News
Four people were able to escape a two-alarm fire Wednesday night after flames erupted at their La Vuelta home that had about damages of about $400,000 due to the stubborn blaze.
Four people were able to escape a two-alarm fire Wednesday night after flames erupted at their La Vuelta home that had about damages of about $400,000 due to the stubborn blaze.The report of a structure fire at 966 La Vuelta was reported to the Santa Paula Fire Department on May 29 at 10:32 p.m., said SPFD Acting Assistant Chief Jerry Byrum.“Upon arrival, light smoke was showing,” but upon investigation SPFD Cpt. Kevin Fildes found a downstairs bedroom “fully involved in flames. . .Cpt. Fildes requested a full tone and mutual aid,” from the Ventura County and Ventura City fire departments, said AAC Byrum.Ultimately, 11 engines and over 50 firefighting personnel responded to the scene for what was declared a two-alarm fire.The residents, Tony and Mary Romero, and two other people escaped the blaze; the Red Cross of Ventura County responded to the scene, as did SPFD Chaplains Jose Vindel and Mike Slagle.The fire at the two-story, tri-level house, located near 10th Street, proved to be a particularly difficult one: “It was a pretty stubborn fire,” that was knocked down at about 12:15 a.m., almost two hours after it was reported, said AAC Byrum.The house was built around 1955 and has undergone several remodels, including additions, which hampered firefighters. “That’s what made it difficult to extinguish. . .the voids,” between walls, as well as lathe and plaster reinforced with wire mesh materials that firefighters had trouble tearing into it.“When firefighters tried to pull the ceiling down [to access the attic, where the fire had spread] it was difficult to punch through three layers of material,” said AAC Byrum. “There was a lot of actual physical handiwork done inside,” to stop the fire.