Fire Chief on Way to Work Rousts People From Burning Home

The occupants of a home in the 500 block of Thalia Street in Laguna Beach were rousted from their sleep early Friday by a fire chief who came upon the blaze on his way to work.

Deputy Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said was headed to fire department headquarters when he saw the lower portion of the house ablaze. LaTendresse contacted the dispatch center and got the two occupants out of the home.

Four fire engines, one truck, one squad car, three chiefs and two investigators quickly responded to the blaze. The damage was confined to the lowest level of the house, where at least one smoke alarm was not working.

Division Chief Dan Stefano estimated the damage at about $100,000.

 “Chief LaTendresse was instrumental in saving the occupants from harm’s way,” Stefano said. “The strong firefighting work that immediately happened stopped the blaze from spreading to the upper floors."

 No injuries were reported and an investigation is underway, although it appears the fire was accidental, officials said.