Santa Ana : Embers From Fireplace Ignite Home Roof Blaze

Hot embers from a burning fireplace ignited the shake roof of a two-story home about noon Sunday, causing $45,000 in damages, fire officials said.

Although residents were at home when the fire broke out, no was injured in the midday blaze, Fire Department officials said.

Battalion Chief William Zastrow said the fire in the 2900 block of South Pacific Avenue was reported at 12:13 p.m. and was extinguished by 12:34 p.m. Five fire companies responded to the alarm.

Zastrow said the house was owned by Matthew Roabe, who was inside watching television at the time. “He (Roabe) had started a fire in the fireplace, and embers (from the chimney) landed on the shake roof,” Zastrow said.

“A neighbor saw the roof on fire and knocked on his door and told him. He and his little girl went outside then, and they weren’t hurt,” he said.

As firefighters put out the last of the fire, Roabe was overheard praising his small daughter for following instructions and leaving the house quickly and safely.

Zastrow said the fire was confined to the roof and attic of the residence. But he said ceiling damage extended to parts of the upper floors. He said the fire caused an estimated $35,000 in damage to the structure and $10,000 in damage to the contents.