NEWS IN BRIEF

-- Greg Risling

A quick-moving fire that caused about $20,000 in damage to a Costa

Mesa home Wednesday morning was fueled by a Christmas tree, authorities

said. No one was injured.

The owners of the home, which is in the 3000 block of Tyler Way, had been

in the process of getting rid of the tree when the blaze occurred shortly

before noon.

“One of the children saw the tree on fire, and they got out of there soon

after,” said Costa Mesa Fire Battalion Chief Jim Ellis. “The Christmas

tree was definitely the ignition source, but it is still under

investigation.”

The fire spread rapidly through the living and dining rooms. Ellis said

firefighters were on the scene within three to five minutes, but the

blaze had already gutted both rooms.

Authorities warn residents during the holiday season about the danger of

Christmas trees, which can pose a dangerous fire threat. Orange County

fire agencies host demonstrations to show how quickly a fire can spread

from a burning Christmas tree.

“This fire illustrates how devastating a Christmas tree fire can be,”

Ellis added. “Thank God this didn’t happen at 2 a.m. in the morning.”