Crime & Safety

Condo Fire Causes $500,000 Damage

Laguna Beach firefighters were able to contain the Ocean Vista Drive blaze, and save a cat.

News release from the Laguna Beach Fire Dept.:

Laguna Beach firefighters responded to a working structure fire at a 34-unit, 3-level condominium complex last night, located at the end of the 21700 block of Ocean Vista Drive.

Upon arrival, Captain Scott Jennie and his crew from Laguna Engine #4 along with Captain Chris Kent and his crew from Laguna Engine #2 quickly realized that they had a significant amount of heat, smoke, and fire coming from inside one of the upper floors of the identified unit.

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Immediately, they went into action and aggressively attacked the fire, along with the other Laguna Beach and Orange County Fire Authority firefighters, who made their way up to the third level and roof to help stop the fire from spreading to the adjacent units.

At 7:15 pm, the occupants were on a lower level of their condominium, when they heard crackling noises and a smoke alarm in the upper level. One of the occupants then proceeded upstairs to investigate it and said he observed “orange flames” blowing out of the kitchen area.

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Thereafter, the occupants called 911, grabbed their dog, and immediately exited their home. Laguna Beach firefighters arrived within minutes thereafter.

“The initial entry team of firefighters described the interior conditions on the upper floor as having ‘thick dark smoke approaching floor level’ and the heat intensity ‘as hot as they had ever felt,’ said Laguna Beach Fire Division Chief Dan Stefano. "Our firefighters did an outstanding job of stopping this fire and confining it to one floor."

In addition to stopping the fire from extending into other adjacent units, Laguna Beach Firefighters were able to locate and safely remove the occupants’ cat from harm’s way. The American Red Cross also responded, assisting the occupants with temporary housing needs. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area, but remains under investigation. No injuries were reported and preliminary damage is estimated at $500,000.


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