Capistrano Beach : 2 Hurt, 1 Critically, in Apartment Blaze
An apartment fire in Capistrano Beach injured two people and caused $100,000 damage early Monday, Orange County fire officials said.
Ronald Granger, 22, was reported in critical condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange with second-degree burns on 25% of his body. Carolyn Bernard, 20, of San Clemente was treated for smoke inhalation at San Clemente General Hospital and released, a spokeswoman there said.
The fire, which apparently began in Granger’s bedroom, did extensive damage to his apartment in the 26100 block of Via California and caused smoke and water damage to the attic of an adjacent unit, Fire Department spokesman Joe Kerr said. Granger’s roommate, Richard Saltz, 24, was at home but was not injured, Kerr added.
Residents of the wood-framed duplex were awakened by shouts from Bernard, Kerr said. About 35 firefighters responded to the call at 3:26 a.m. and spent 40 minutes extinguishing the blaze.
Kerr estimated damage at $60,000 to the building and $40,000 in personal belongings. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Kerr said.
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