OXNARD : Residential Fire Leaves 10 Homeless

An intense fire extensively damaged a north Oxnard home Monday, leaving 10 residents homeless and sending one to the hospital with smoke inhalation, authorities said.

The fire erupted in the garage of a single-family house in the 1000 block of Ivywood Drive about 2:30 p.m., and the home was fully involved when firefighters arrived, said Battalion Chief Murray Glidden of the Oxnard Fire Department.

“The fire had a good head start on us,” Glidden said. “The first unit to respond was from Station 1 at K and Fifth streets. No sooner had they left the barn than they could see the fire.”

A preliminary investigation determined that the fire began near a hot-water heater, Glidden said. Fire officials were investigating whether the heater exploded, he said.

Damage to the house was estimated at $100,000, with another $22,000 in damage to its contents, officials said.

Of the six adults and four children who lived in the four-bedroom rental house, three were home when the fire began, Glidden said. “They said they heard a big bang in the garage, but when they opened the door the fire was already too big,” he said.

Flames consumed the garage roof and quickly entered the attic, Glidden said. The garage walls collapsed after the roof fell in.

“The house went up like it was papier-mache,” said Oxnard police Cadet Officer Jana Barendregt.

One resident was overcome because of smoke inhalation, Glidden said. The unidentified woman was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The fire was limited to the single house. A residence less than 10 feet downwind from the fire was spared damage by the quick action of firefighters, Glidden said.