A very human loss

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- Flames ignited once again from the smoldering wreckage that

was Newport Plastics on Friday evening, just as employees gathered to

pick up their paychecks.

Although the Costa Mesa Fire Department had the minor flare-up

extinguished in minutes, it was a noxious reminder of their dire

situation.

When employees of the Costa Mesa company showed up for work Thursday,

they found the building had been destroyed by an early morning fire.

Despite the assurances of Newport Plastics Inc. owner Bruce Hale, and the

paychecks in their pockets, employees said they can’t help but worry

about what lies ahead for them.

“All of the employees are worried about [having a] job,” said Maria

Morales, who works in the shipping department. “It’s a very sad situation

and we’re worried about things, especially at this time of year. Do we

have to find a job?”

Hale insists his employees have nothing to worry about. The paychecks

will keep coming.

“They still have jobs,” Hale said. “We’ve been here for 30 years, and

we’ll be here for 30 more.”

A trailer expected to arrive today will serve as a temporary office until

the building can be restored.

“I think everything is going to be fine in a couple of weeks, but this is

a big month and this is a big tragedy,” said Francisca Rodriguez,

supervisor of production for Newport Plastics. “We’re really sad because

we really love this place.”

But Rodriguez did not spend her day at the burned-out building because

she loved the place. She was there because she wanted to find out about

her best friend, Cheetos, who died in the fire.

Cheetos, who was part Australian sheep dog and part hound, had lived at

the office for the last five to seven years.

“After my job, every night I would come back and play with her, run with

her,” Rodriguez said. “I’d spend an hour, hour and a half -- I tell you,

she was my best friend.”

Cheetos likely died of smoke inhalation, authorities said.

Michael Williams, the company superintendent who brought Cheetos to the

office to live years ago, said the company mascot was so well loved that

she was above eating dog food. Cheetos had her choice of employees’

lunches.

The dog was the only irreplaceable casualty of the fire, Hale said. The

employees have nothing else to worry about.

“They will all continue to be employed,” he said. “They just got a few

days off to go Christmas shopping.”