Neighbors Say Bars Foiled Their Effort to Rescue Girl

Neighbors of a Stanton family whose son ignited a fire in his home said Saturday that metal security bars on a window prevented them from saving the boy’s 11-year-old sister, who was trapped when the blaze swept through her bedroom.

“I was watching TV and ran out when I heard the screams,” said John Salyers, a next-door neighbor. “I saw quite a bit of smoke. Another neighbor tried to get in through the front door, but there was too much smoke. They tried to break through the bedroom window but just couldn’t because of the bars.”

Rachelle Jensen died from burns and smoke inhalation after frantic efforts by her mother and neighbors to remove the bars outside her bedroom failed, an Orange County Fire Department spokesman said.

Mother, Son Hurt

The fire occurred about 10:20 p.m. Friday in a duplex apartment at 10532 Court St. Fire Department officials would not release the names of the other family members, but neighbors said the apartment was shared by Craig and Becky Jensen and their three children: Jessica, 5, Matthew, 3, and Rachelle.

The mother and son were treated at the scene for burns on the hands, said fire dispatcher Steve McClellan. Neighbors said Craig Jensen was not home when the fire started.

McClellan said that Rachelle’s brother admitted to authorities that the fire was ignited while he was playing with a cigarette lighter in his sister’s bedroom.

Authorities said the mother was awakened by the screams of her younger daughter and found a fire burning in Rachelle’s bedroom.

Tried to Pry Bars

She was not able to enter the bedroom because of the smoke and heat and ran outside, where she tried to pry the bars from the bedroom’s window.

Ten-year-old Isaiah Velarde, who lives next door to the Jensens, said he was awakened when Becky Jensen ran screaming from the home. Isaiah said his mother, Cynthia, and another neighbor searched in vain for a crowbar to try to pry the bars loose. Neighbors also used a garden hose to spray water into the bedroom after the glass in the window was broken, he said.

“They were screaming and shouting to Rachelle to stay in the top bunk and not to move,” Isaiah said. “My mother’s friend went into the house, but the smoke was too thick. He couldn’t find her.”

Isaiah said Rachelle attended Walt Disney Elementary School in Anaheim. “She was really nice and would always help us other kids out,” Isaiah said. “She liked to play with our dog and would take him out for us when we were away.”

John Salyers said Craig Jensen returned home shortly after the fire started.

“He got pretty hysterical and tried to get in, but the firemen wouldn’t let him,” Salyers said. “Rachelle was a sweet girl, and Matthew was a cute little kid. They are good neighbors.”

Fire officials said the blaze caused about $20,000 in damage to the apartment. A smoke detector in the home was found to be “not functioning properly.”