Investigators search for answers in triplex fire

Investigators from the Costa Mesa Fire Department are narrowing down

the causes of a Saturday morning fire that gutted a triplex in Costa

Mesa.

“We are trying to rule out candles and electrical,” said Fire Capt.

Marty Huguenin, the lead investigator on the fire. “We are certain it was

accidental.”

The fire destroyed the downstairs apartment in the triplex at the

intersection of Westminster Avenue and Broadway.

Authorities estimated that the blaze caused between $150,000 and

$200,000 in damage, but one has to factor in real estate prices.

“You have to factor in construction costs,” Huguenin said. “Sometimes

fixing a place costs a tremendous amount of money.”

Marci Resch, 35, who lives in the upstairs apartment, was treated for

minor injuries and another resident was treated for psychological

distress, but there were no serious injuries.

At least four people escaped along with Resch’s two cats, dog, rabbit

and bird.