Fire at Family’s Whittier Home Leaves 4 Dead and 4 Injured

Four members of a Whittier family were killed and four others injured Sunday morning in a fast-moving fire that gutted the inside of a two-story house, despite frantic rescue efforts by neighbors and surviving family members.

Authorities did not release names of the victims, but relatives identified the four fatalities as: Barbara Ortiz, 51; her mother, Sally Sanchez, a woman in her 60s; Anne Marie Ortiz, 13, Barbara’s daughter, and Allen Ortiz, 3, Barbara’s grandson.

Los Angeles County firefighters expressed surprise at the loss of life because the fire in the home at 10445 S. Valley View Ave. erupted just after 9 a.m., when the family was awake.

“You generally don’t find fatalities (from fires) at this time of day,” said fire spokesman Elvin Miranda Jr. “These people were already up and out of bed.”

According to relatives, the injured are Arturo Ortiz Sr., 55, Barbara’s husband and the head of the household, who suffered extensive second- and third-degree burns; his sons Art Jr., in his 20s, who suffered serious burns, and Andrew Ortiz, 19, who suffered minor burns; and Art Jr.’s son, Christopher, 2, who suffered minor burns. All were being treated at hospitals in the Whittier area.

A ninth family member, identified as Pete Ortiz, Arturo Sr.’s third son, was not home.

Fire Capt. James Pendleton said the family’s Christmas tree was a “major contributor” to the blaze but added, “We don’t how it started.” He said the fire may have somehow spread from the fireplace to the Christmas tree and from there engulfed the house.

Arlene Ortiz, the sister-in-law of Arturo Ortiz Sr., said it had been a quiet Sunday morning.

Arturo Sr. was upstairs reading the paper, and Art Jr., who is divorced, was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for sons Allen and Christopher, who were in the living room watching television. The Christmas tree’s lights were lit, and a warm fire was burning in the fireplace.

Suddenly, little Allen Ortiz ran upstairs and called out to his grandfather, “Fire, grandpa, fire,” according to Arlene Ortiz.

Within moments, an explosion rocked the house.

Arturo Sr. and his two sons escaped, along with young Christopher.

Arlene Ortiz said she thinks Sally Sanchez, who suffered from dizzy spells, was trapped in her bedroom and that her granddaughter, Anne Marie, died trying to help her out.

One victim was trapped in a shower and died there, Miranda said. According to relatives, this was Barbara Ortiz.

Chris Galluzzo, 19, who lives across the street, said he was watering down his driveway when he heard a “boom.” He said glass popped out of the downstairs windows and flames were coming out.

He called 911 to report the fire, and, when he got back outside, neighbors and surviving family members were scrambling to raise ladders to reach those trapped on the second floor.

Neighbors on both sides of the house turned their water hoses on the blaze, but the fire was too intense to control.

Some of the family members outside the house were hysterical, running from window to door and trying to get inside, said the neighbors, who tried to hold them back.

“Several attempts were made to enter the burning structure before we got there,” Pendleton said.

Five engine companies, three paramedic units and three ambulances responded to the blaze. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Damage to the house and its contents was placed at $200,000.

Relatives have started a burial fund for the victims. Donations may be sent to 9302 Myron St., Pico Rivera, 90660.