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It only took firefighters minutes to knock down Saturday’s blaze but in spite of rescue efforts first by nearby residents and then by emergency responders Shana Grant-Kolek was killed |
Cause of fire that killed Santa
Paula woman ruled accidental
March 11, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A house fire that killed a Santa Paula woman Saturday was determined to be accidental, according to a fire department spokesman. But the official cause of death might not be known for months according to a deputy coroner.
Santa Paula Fire Department spokesman Andy VanSciver said the blaze was found by investigators to be “accidental in nature” when it started in the living room of the duplex occupied by Shana Grant-Kolek, but he could not be more specific about the cause.
The March 7 blaze was reported at 5:22 p.m. as smoke coming from a duplex in the 500 block of North Mill Street.
As they pulled up at the scene SPFD personnel was notified that a person was still inside the residence; neighbors had tried to enter the duplex to rescue the 45-year-old Grant-Kolek but were driven off by the fierce heat and heavy black smoke billowing out of the structure.
The Ventura County and Fillmore fire departments also responded to the blaze that was knocked down at 5:35 p.m.
Grant-Kolek was brought out of the house a minute later after being found by firefighters in a hallway, according to VanSciver.
Emergency medical personnel began CPR but could not revive Grant-Kolek who was declared deceased at the scene.
The American Red Cross was notified that five people living in the second unit of the duplex were displaced by the damage caused from the fire. Both units had functioning smoke detectors.
VanSciver said the fire caused an estimated $75,000 worth of structural damages.
An autopsy was performed Monday by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office but the official cause of Grant-Kolek’s death is pending the results of further testing, such as toxicology and carbon dioxide.
Deputy Coroner Zeb Dunn said the result of such testing is expected to take four to six months.
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A 45-year-old Santa Paula woman was killed Saturday when a fire broke out in her duplex located in the 500 block of North Mill Street. |
