Grant-Kolek: SP woman killed Saturday in N. Mill Street duplex fire

A 45-year-old Santa Paula woman died Saturday in a fast-moving duplex fire despite the efforts of neighbors and firefighters to rescue her.
Officials identified the woman as Shana Grant-Kolek, a member of a longtime and well-known area family.
According to Santa Paula Fire PIO Andy VanSciver, the blaze was reported 5:22 p.m. in a duplex in the 500 block of North Mill Street on the northeast corner of Virginia Terrace.
As firefighters arrived they were notified that a person was still in the house and nearby residents were trying to reach her.
VanSciver said the initial report was smoke was coming from the neat residence and as SPFD Engine 81 and Ventura County Fire Engine 26 arrived, “Locals were trying to help the trapped person but they were turned back by the heavy smoke,” and the heat of the fire.
The fire was knocked down at 5:35 p.m. and the woman was brought out of the residence by firefighters almost immediately; although CPR and other efforts were made to revive her, Grant-Kolek was declared deceased.
In all nine units from Santa Paula, Fillmore and Ventura County fire departments were on scene and two ambulances.
Five people were displaced in the fire and SPFD Fire Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton was working with the Red Cross to arrange for shelter.
According to a witness Grant-Kolek lived alone and the five displaced lived on the other side of the duplex, whose owners live in Oregon.
The structure, said VanSciver, will be red-tagged. Damage is estimated at about $75,000.
Two VCFD Investigators and a Fire Investigator from the City of Ventura were working the scene even as officials awaited the arrival of the Medical Examiner.
At this point there is no suspicion of arson or foul play. VanSciver was unable to say where in the residence the fire started but he did note that the duplex had functioning smoke detectors.
VanSciver did ask that people remember to check their smoke detectors and make sure the device is working as they change their clocks to daylight-saving time.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.