Investigators find cause of apartment fire

Jeff Benson

Fire investigators have determined that a candle caused the July 25

fire in a 21-year-old woman’s Sundance West apartment bedroom on

Myrtle Drive.

Maria Carreno was pronounced dead at Hoag Hospital later that day

after she went into cardiac arrest and two neighbors pulled her from

the room.

Investigator Shawn Brosamer said the case is now closed, pending

the release of an official autopsy report. However, officials weren’t

able to determine whether the candle fell over or was knocked over

because Carreno was alone at the time, he said.

Brosamer said Carreno’s two Sundance West neighbors, Isidro

Labastida, 58, and his son, Aimcindo Labastida, 26, doused the fire

with water from the apartment’s bathroom and moved the woman to

safety.

“We will submit a letter to the fire chief on their efforts,”

Brosamer said. “We all felt the same way. It was a commendable thing

and a selfless act.”

A service for Carreno was held Sunday at St. John the Baptist

Church in Costa Mesa.

“Our little Maria had a heart of gold,” family friend Gerda Stone

said. “She comforted you when you were sick and brought flowers to

cheer you up. Her smile will be missed forever.”