Residents healing after fires

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Residents of Monticello Town Homes are still in shock

over the two separate, yet unrelated fires that consumed several

townhouses a little over two weeks ago.

Members of that community are still “in the process of healing,” said

Julia Cross, board member of the Monticello Homeowners Assn.

“People are still dealing with the trauma,” she said. “Some of them

are even afraid to flip on the stove to make a cup of tea.”

Cross was instrumental in organizing a town hall meeting Thursday

night where residents had the opportunity to ask fire, police and other

city officials questions about the Feb. 28 and March 2 fires that shocked

their community, as well as precautions that could prevent such tragedies

in the future.

The first fire was an explosive one that left one man dead, damaged at

least two other homes and brought neighbors running out of their homes.

In the second fire, a family was left homeless and lost five pets.

The meeting was informational, said resident Gina Keuilian.

“I’m basically here to see what’s going on,” she said. “I would also

like to know how we can better protect ourselves.”

Some residents asked officials questions about what is safe to keep

inside their homes.

Fire Marshall Tom Macduff suggested that residents store even barbecue

grills that run on propane tanks, outside their homes, perhaps on the

patio. He said a leak could leave dangerous gas vapors at ground level

that could easily ignite and cause an explosion as it did in the case of

the first fire.

Macduff explained that the man who died in the first fire stored gas

cans not just in his garage but all over his house. City officials also

explained how residents can make use of various home inspection programs

offered by the fire department to make sure their homes are safe.

Macduff said the second fire was possibly caused by overloading

circuits, most commonly done by plugging in several appliances into one

power socket.

Resident Marilyn Myers said the meeting to some extent helped allay

her fears, but that she was dealing with the incidents in her own way.

“I thought I was doing fine,” she said. “But a couple nights ago, when

the Santa Ana winds blew, that kind of scared me. That’s when I realized

I’m still wrestling with some issues.”

Myers lives five doors away from the home of 68-year-old Robert

Jamison Marshall, the resident who was killed in the Feb. 28 fire.

“I have to drive by that house everyday to get to my house,” she said.

“And every time I think about how someone who lived on my street lost his

life.”

But, she said, time will heal.

“It’s like Sept. 11,” she said. “It’ll take some time. But we’ll be

OK.”

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .