Woman Burned in Fire Caused by Unattended Candle

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: March 31th, 2013
TIME OF ALARM: 02:01 am
TYPE OF ALARM: Residential Structure Fire
LOCATION: 2960 12th St., San Pablo
RESPONSE: 4 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 2 Battalion Chiefs, and 1 Fire Investigator
ASSISTING AGENCIES: Richmond Fire, San Pablo Police, PG&E, and AMR
TOTAL FIRE PERSONNEL AT SCENE: 18

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Engine 70 (San Pablo), Engine 69 (El Sobrante) and Richmond Fire Department Engines 66, 62 and Truck 68 responded to a reported Residential Structure Fire at 2960 12th St. in San Pablo. San Pablo PD officers were first at scene and located an injured person near the home and summoned a Code 3 ambulance. Engine 70 reported smoke seen after leaving the station. When they arrived three minutes later, they reported heavy smoke and fire showing from throughout a one story home. Fire crews conducted a size-up of the fire and then initiated an offensive strategy of interior fire attack, search, and ventilation operations. The occupants of the home (3 adults) were able to initially escape without injury. Unfortunately, one of the occupants re-entered the home prior to our arrival to retrieve a pet and was severely injured. The victim was provided with immediate emergency medical care by an AMR Paramedic ambulance. The fire was controlled within 15 minutes and was confined to home of origin. Firefighters conducting a primary search were able to rescue one cat but unfortunately another had succumbed to smoke inhalation. This fire required several hours of significant overhaul due to the heavy fire involvement.

The fire caused approximately $200,000 in loss to the structure and contents. The Red Cross was called to provide temporary housing for one adult. Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries, the on-call Fire District Fire Investigator responded to conduct interviews and determine fire cause and origin. This investigation determined that the fire was a result of an unattended candle in a bedroom of the home. The victim was initially treated and stabilized at Doctors Hospital San Pablo and was later transferred to the Burn Center at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco.

This is the second fire in as many days in San Pablo – the first occurred early Saturday morning displacing five residents from a single family home. This is also the second incident this week where an occupant re-entered a burning home. In the other case, a young man was burned and suffered smoke inhalation after re-entering his burning garage in Concord on Friday afternoon in an attempt to save his truck. The Fire District reminds everyone never to re-enter a burning building to retrieve pets or property. Once outside – stay outside!

Media Inquiries: Lewis Broschard, Fire Marshal/PIO, 925-383-5017

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