EDITORIAL

It has been a terrifying few weeks in Newport-Mesa, in particular for

the residents of the Monticello Town Homes Complex. The fires -- two at

the complex, one at a tailor shop, another that destroyed a Lido Isle

home, an absolute inferno that gutted a building on the Westside bluffs

and, finally, one that gutted a Newport Coast home in construction --

occurred in a string, one happening seemingly just as the embers of the

last were dying out.

The list of victims is heart-rending, as would be expected. A man dead

in one and several families temporarily without shelter after the

explosive early morning blaze at the Monticello complex. Two families

left more permanently homeless as their homes are engulfed. Businesses

with still uncounted losses after a late-night fire a week ago.

What is terrifying about it all is how quickly and unexpectedly it can

happen. Without warning, families were shaken from their beds, awakened

from dreams. In the ashes, other dreams are lost forever.

And there is no telling when it will happen or where it will happen.

The flames can attack us in our homes, where we should feel safe. Our

homes can go up because of a mistake by a neighbor or even a simple,

innocent accident.

It is the very definition of terror.

Thankfully, such crises also showcase our better natures. Our

firefighters and other safety personnel -- police, paramedics -- have

handled each scene with care and grace. Neighbors have come together to

lend support. Family members have shouldered their loved ones’ burdens.

But it is all still terrifying. How can it be anything else?