Ojai Valley Residents Help Victims of Fire

Donations poured in Wednesday for a black family whose Ojai Valley home was destroyed by fire Tuesday, but investigators said they are moving cautiously in determining whether the blaze was deliberately set.

While still looking at the fire as a possible arson, investigators said they plan to re-interview members of the family to try to resolve differences between the witnesses’ account of the blaze and physical evidence gathered at the scene.

“The fire patterns don’t match up with what the witnesses are stating,” said Nina Raya, a spokeswoman for the Ventura County Fire Department. “What (investigators) are doing right now is re-evaluating the witnesses.

“They want to make sure they’re telling the truth,” she said, adding that investigators so far have not ruled out any possible cause of the fire.

Also on Wednesday, an FBI agent interviewed at least one of the victims. The FBI’s involvement came after a call by the Ventura County NAACP on Tuesday to investigate potential civil rights violations.

The agent declined to discuss details of the interview.

Lonnie Stanford, a 30-year Navy veteran who now works for the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, and other members of his family said they are convinced that the fire--which injured three people--was an arson attack motivated by racial hatred.

“I can’t prove anything, but holes don’t get there by themselves,” said Stanford, who told investigators Tuesday there was a hole in the living room window moments before the fire engulfed his house.

“All I know is (the fire) didn’t start in the house,” said Winnie Stanford, Lonnie Stanford’s wife, who was treated for smoke inhalation.

As for the discrepancies cited by arson investigators, Stanford said: “I’m not a fire inspector. All we’re doing is saying what we saw, and we hope they can determine what really went on.”

Property owner Robert M. Featherston, a former insurance company investigator for 12 years, also said the fire was deliberately set.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out,” said Featherston, who on Tuesday was one of the first people to offer the family help. “I knew it was a hate crime.”

Featherston, who was rummaging through the burned-out home with his insurance adjuster Wednesday morning, added: “I think someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, and I think it was racial.”

The American Red Cross has relocated the Stanfords to a motel until the family finds a temporary place to live. But the Stanfords vowed Wednesday to help rebuild the charred home on Grande Vista Street in the unincorporated community of Oak View--a house they said they hope to buy.

“Regardless of race, creed, sex, religion or national origin, all individuals have the right to feel free to live as they choose in society,” Lonnie Stanford said. “We’ll have to stand up. People of conscience will have to stand up also.”

While investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire, donations of cash and clothing for the family were arriving at a number of Ojai Valley firehouses.

More than 50 sacks of clothing had been dropped off at fire stations by Wednesday evening. Typical of the cash donations was a $100 bill that an unidentified man handed to Fire Investigator Norman Plott.

“I’m just amazed at the public response,” Plott said. “The generosity has been unbelievable.” An account to receive donations for the victims has been opened at the Ojai Valley Bank.

The blaze, which caused $150,000 in damage and destroyed virtually all of the family’s belongings, broke out about 4 a.m. Tuesday near the living room of the single-story, three-bedroom house. Family members said they first heard “a big pop,” then discovered flames roiling through the house.

But a search by a trained dog failed to sniff out incendiary devices or other potential sources of fuel, in part prompting investigators to re-examine the Stanfords’ statements.

The blaze occurred within a few weeks of a request by 13-year-old Shuwana Stanford to graduate with her former classmates at Matilija Junior High School in Ojai.

Shuwana withdrew from courses in January in favor of a home-schooling program after she was targeted by a series of racial threats at the school.

Matilija Principal James Berube said many of his students knew that Shuwana planned to attend the commencement exercise but added that “students didn’t seem to care” if she participated or not.

“We have 300 students going through (the ceremony), and it’s special to all of them,” Berube said. “Shuwana is hopefully a part of that.”

Shuwana, the most seriously injured, with first- and second-degree burns on her head and face, said Wednesday that she is still determined to graduate with her class on June 16.

“It’s a part of my life,” she said. “It’ll show them that I’m not afraid.”

At nearby Nordhoff High School, students and faculty on Wednesday were organizing a relief effort and clothing drive to help the Stanfords. Shuwana’s cousin Keyana, who also was roused by the fire, is a sophomore at Nordhoff.

“There’s been a large outpouring of concern and the desire to do something,” said Nordhoff Principal Michael Maez.

Ojai officials on Wednesday expressed concern over the fire and its potential impact on the community.

“I don’t want anyone to think Ojai is a place where people are not accepted because of color,” said Councilwoman Nina V. Shelley, who sent a get-well note to Shuwana on Tuesday.

“I don’t want the city’s image destroyed,” Shelley said.