BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Fire officials investigating two Costa Mesa fires MondayThe Costa Mesa Fire Department is investigating two separate fires that swept through Costa Mesa garages early Monday.

Fire officials have not yet determined the causes of the two fires, which occurred on opposite sides of the city.

Just after 12:45 a.m., firefighters responded to a garage fire in the 600 block of Brookview Way. An elderly couple was evacuated from the home, as well as neighbors, police Capt. Herb Ohde said. The fire was put out in about 20 minutes. No residents were hurt, but a pet cat kept in the garage died. Minor smoke and fire damage in the main house was reported, Ohde said.

The other blaze, which burned through one garage of a triplex in the 200 block of Ogle Street, was reported just after 6 a.m. Monday after residents and neighbors heard about five loud popping sounds, Ohde said. The cause of the fire is unknown, but firefighters determined several small propane bottles probably caused the loud noises neighbors and the residents heard. The fire was contained in the garage, creating minor damage, including a large hole in the roof. The fire did not damage any other homes or garages, Ohde said.

Both garages had to be cut in half before firefighters could attempt to put them out, something typical of a fire in this locale, Ohde said.

Ohde said no foul play is suspected in either of the fires.

Sewage spill closes waters near Bahia CorinthianThe water outside the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club on Bayside Drive will remain closed to swimmers and others today after about 200 gallons of sewage spilled into the area water.

The bay water area will stay closed to swimmers and others who participate in ocean-water contact sports until the agency receives two water samples that meet their safety standards, spokeswoman Monica Mazur said. The earliest the waters will be reopened would be Wednesday morning.

Environmental Health officials announced the bay water unsafe for contact Monday morning after a blockage in a sewer pipeline at a private property was reported. It is the responsibility of the property owner to clean the spill, which was considered small by Mazur.

For more information about spills and beach and bay closures, visit www.ocbeachinfo.com or call (714) 433-6400. To report a sewage spill, call (714) 433-6419.