Money found at site of Costa Mesa fire

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Police recovered two large bags of cash from the home of

an unidentified man who died in a series of explosions that jolted a

quiet townhome complex early Thursday morning.

Officials counted the money at Costa Mesa City Hall on Friday but did

not release a total. Initial estimates reported about $100,000. City

officials are holding the cash for safe keeping.

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Marty Carver said investigators found the money

while sifting through the remains of the apartment in the 2300 block of

Richmond Way where a fire killed a man officials believe to be about 65

years old. The severity of his burns has delayed the victim’s

identification, the coroner said.

At 3:28 a.m. Thursday, a fire sparked a series of three explosions

that quickly spread flames from the victim’s garage to neighboring

rooftops. The blast was so powerful it shattered the windows of nearby

homes and literally shook all those within a one-block radius.

Battalion Chief Chris Riley, whose fire station is near the Monticello

Townhouse complex, said firefighters felt the blast and thought it was an

earthquake -- until they got the call.

“The force of the blast was just amazing,” Riley said.

Riley said he initially suspected a possible methamphetamine lab

because of the power of the explosion and the fact that it was a garage

fire. A thorough inspection from the Orange County Fire Authority

hazardous materials team negated the concern.

“The hazmat team definitely monitored the atmosphere to make sure we

were safe,” Riley said. “They made us feel pretty comfortable we weren’t

dealing with a meth lab.”

Carver agreed, saying the police investigation did not point to any

suspicious activity. Neither the explosion nor the large amount of cash

can be connected to drug manufacturing, Carver said.

“We can’t take that money in as drug money,” Carver said, “especially

with older people. Some just tend to hold on to their money.”

Interviews with neighbors did not spark suspicion of illegal activity,

Riley added.

Officials still do not know what caused the thunderous blast, and the

investigation is ongoing, Riley said, but cans of gasoline were recovered

Friday. Contrary to neighbors’ accounts, Riley said there was no evidence

of any welding devices.

Investigators will continue to sort through debris, tagging and

examining each item as possible evidence, Riley said. Firefighters are

also using specially trained dogs to sniff out the presence of specific

chemicals. Officials can’t afford to rush their investigation because

each charred article could be a crucial clue.

“We’re just being slow and meticulous,” Riley said.

Firefighters initially feared another person was in the home because

the victim ran out of the garage on fire, was extinguished and then ran

back in. Riley confirmed that no other bodies were found in the rubble.

He would not speculate whether the man went back for his money.

“We’ll never know why he ran back in,” Riley said. “In my 20 years,

I’ve never seen anything like it.”

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .