Christmas tree fire guts home

A Newport Beach home was destroyed by what started as a small Christmas tree fire shortly after midnight Monday.

The fire, in the 2200 block of Port Durness Place, was reported to Metro Net Fire Communications at 12:09 a.m. Five people were in the home when the fire started.

The homeowners, a husband and wife, were awake exchanging Christmas gifts when they noticed a small fire burning in their Christmas tree. Following unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the fire with water, the man instructed his wife to call 911 as he rushed upstairs to rescue his two sons, ages 5 and 16, who were asleep. The children’s grandmother, who was also sleeping when the fire began, was able to evacuate herself, Fire Division Chief Paul Matheis said.

“The family got out with the clothes on their back and is staying in a local hotel,” Matheis said.

Newport Beach Police Officer Shawn Dugan was patrolling the area and arrived on the scene just after residents evacuated and confirmed that everyone had escaped safely.

The two-story, 3,600-square-foot dwelling was filled with smoke and fire when Newport Beach Engine 63, the first firefighters on the scene, arrived and began a “fast-attack” — a quick and aggressive offensive to extinguish the flames.

“It was a large home and a good-size lot, and the whole top of the structure was on fire, with flames shooting 40 feet in the air,” said Matheis, who arrived on the scene early Monday.

After fighting the fire for nearly two hours, firefighters were still unable to put out the flames because they were spreading into the hidden spaces of the home, including the walls and attic.

Subsequently assuming a defensive posture, the 50 firefighters at the scene — including assistance from the Costa Mesa Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority — finally were able to put out the fire at approximately 3:30 a.m.

The home, at 2248 Port Durness Place, is heavily damaged by fire and severely damaged by smoke and water.

Damages are estimated at $500,000, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Matheis said two-thirds of Christmas tree fires occur in December.

“It’s a large, combustible material,” he said. “It is important for everyone to have trees and celebrate Christmas, but it’s important to be careful with them, too.”