Fatal Crash, House Fire Are Blamed on High Winds

Wind-related power outages and downed electrical lines early Saturday were blamed for a traffic accident that claimed the life of a Canyon Country woman and a fire that caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to a house in Northridge.

The gusty winds, reaching 35 m.p.h., were the result of an unusual high-pressure system stretching from the Nevada-Utah basin to the Pacific Northwest that pushed winds into the northern San Fernando Valley, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

More than 7,200 businesses and homes in Sylmar, Granada Hills and surrounding areas were without power due to downed power lines for several hours starting at 11 p.m. Friday, Department of Water and Power spokeswoman Dorothy Jensen said. Although most of the power was restored by 9:15 a.m. Saturday, scattered neighborhoods were still without electricity during the late morning hours, she said.

The outages were blamed for a fiery two-car collision in Northridge that occurred at an intersection where the traffic signal had gone out, Los Angeles police said.

Aurora Garvida, 52, of Canyon Country was killed in the crash at Nordhoff Street and Balboa Boulevard about 6:15 a.m. when her car, which was traveling north on Balboa, struck a car broadside as it traveled west on Nordhoff, Officer Richard Prindle said.

Garvida’s car burst into flames after the crash, he said. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while her son, Tyrone, 25, who was also in the car, suffered moderate injuries, Prindle said. The son was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was in surgery late Saturday night.

The driver of the other vehicle, Maria Martinez, 28, suffered second- and third-degree burns, and was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center before being transferred to County-USC Medical Center, officials said.

High winds also whipped a fire that engulfed a home in an affluent area of Northridge, city fire officials said.

The blaze, which erupted at 17230 Sunburst St. at 3:24 a.m., was sparked by downed power lines that landed on the roof, said Bob Collis, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

A female resident of the home, who was not identified, fled the house and called for help when the fire broke out, Collis said. No injuries were reported.

More than 15 fire companies took about an hour to extinguish the blaze, he said. Damage estimates were $190,000 to the home and $110,000 to its contents, Collis said.

Gary Newmann, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the high winds were unusual for this time of year.

“Typically, these kinds of winds come around October or in the fall,” he said.

The strong gusts are expected to continue today, ranging between 15 m.p.h. and 30 m.p.h., said Steve Burback, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for the Times.

Temperatures in Los Angeles reached 82 degrees Saturday. Today and Monday, the temperature is expected to reach the upper 80s near the coast and lower 90s inland, he said.

The winds also blew the cover and planks from the scaffolding around a Michael Jackson mural being painted on the side of the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, police said. Officers closed down Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orchid avenues for a few hours early Saturday until the street was cleared. No one was injured, Lt. Charles Roper said.