Santa Paula Fire and other county fire personnel responded to a fully engulfed house fire Sunday. No one was injured in the blaze that required a lot of water to put out

Firefighters knock down suspicious fire that heavily damages home

February 10, 2016
Santa Paula News

A South Olive Street home was badly damaged Sunday afternoon in a blaze deemed suspicious that drew firefighters from throughout Ventura County.

The February 7 Super Bowl Sunday fire in the 100 block of South Olive Street was reported just after 1 p.m. Upon arrival firefighters found the single-family home engulfed in smoke with flames being pushed by high gusts of wind that SPFD Captain Dustin Lazenby said reached 20 miles per hour.

Firefighting units from Ventura County Fire as well as the cities of Fillmore and Ventura responded to offer mutual aid in the firefight, which had been quickly upgraded to a fully involved structure fire.

When Santa Paula Police Officers arrived on the scene “They found the fire was already pretty well involved…”

Lazenby said SPFD Engines 81 and 82 “arrived nearly at the same time and found heavy fire to the structure to the point it was fully involved. We attacked defensively,” especially as firefighters found “access problems, especially to the rear of the house.”

Also of concern was the exposure of fire to a residence next door and another behind the house where the fire was burning intensely. 

A firefighting priority was to keep the blaze from being spread by the winds — carrying embers “Quite a distance,” SPFD Assistant Chief Keith Gurrola told the media — to the nearby residences.

The fire spreading to adjacent residences was “definitely a concern,” said Lazenby. “We knew the fire had to be knocked down pretty quickly,” so firefighters pulled hose and “Put a lot of water on it and knocked the fire down,” before the damaging flames could spread.

The occupants were not home at the time of the fire that did a yet unknown amount of damage to the residence and its contents.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and Lazenby said the public is being asked to supply any information they may have on the cause of the fire or any suspicious activity that could be related to the fire.

When asked about the championship Super Bowl football game, Lazenby said firefighters were done making sure all hot spots were extinguished and mopping up the scene in time to “Watch the fourth quarter…” 

Lazenby asked that those with information call him at 805-933-4225 ext. 192 or to call the Santa Paula Police Department, 805-525-4474.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-5691 or email tips to tipline@spcity.org

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477); the call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). 

Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org





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