Woman Rescued From Burning Mobile Home

Neighbors who grabbed garden hoses to pour water on an intense fire in a mobile home until firefighters arrived were credited Monday with saving the life of a disabled Santa Ana woman.

Irene Lockhardt, 69, who lived alone and has been unable to walk since suffering a stroke March 2, was pulled by firefighters from her home in Santa Ana early Monday.

Lockhardt suffered second- and third-degree burns over half her body and was listed in critical condition in the burn unit at UCI Medical Center.

The fire was reported about 7 a.m. by construction workers Richard Dion and Ed Arballo, who were working in a lot adjacent to the Taggin’ Wagon Mobile Home Park, 2767 W. 1st St.

Two neighbors tried to pull Lockhardt from the mobile home, but were turned back by intense smoke and heat. At least four joined in fighting the fire, officials said.

Neighbor Tom DeLisle, 28, said he noticed the fire and summoned help from Bob Grant, 27, and his brother Bill, 28, who lived nearby. The three men grabbed garden hoses and sprayed water at Lockhardt’s window.

The fire was so intense, DeLisle said, “the minute the water hit the window, it broke.”

Bob Grant, realizing that his elderly neighbor was in danger, rushed into Lockhardt’s smoke-filled living room.

“In one breath, I was choking,” Grant said. “In two breaths, I ran out of there.”

Grant said he took off his T-shirt, covered his mouth and tried again to enter. But he said he was forced back by the thick, black, billowing smoke.

Another neighbor, Pedro Maldonado, grabbed a garden hose and crawled into the mobile home, spraying water. He said a light bulb burst above him, shattering hot glass onto his back. Maldonado was later treated at the scene by paramedics for minor burns.

Lockhardt was pulled out by firefighters James Robertson and Rene Paquin, who were wearing air masks.

“We were basically on our hands and knees,” Paquin said. “I reached out for (Lockhardt), then I realized I had a hold of her.”

The efforts of the neighbors probably saved Lockhardt, Fire Captain Don Maheny said.

“They held (the fire) in check,” he said. “They kept the fire from consuming her.”

An ashtray was found on Lockhardt’s charred mattress, suggesting she was probably smoking a cigarette before falling asleep, Maheny said.

Fire officials said they considered the home a total loss and estimated damages at $25,000.