Firefighters Help Salvage a Christmas

Los Angeles firefighters played Santa Claus on Thursday to two San Fernando Valley families, handing out toys to children whose Christmas presents or homes went up in flames.

“We’re trying to make their days a little bit better,” Battalion Chief John Adams said.

Two-year-old Beau Noonan was not going to get any Christmas presents because his mother, Julie Gause, could not afford them, Adams said.

The apartment that the two share with Gause’s brother in the 5000 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard has no heat or electricity, Adams said.

A candle used to light the apartment sparked a small fire early Thursday, causing about $6,000 in damage. All three were treated for smoke inhalation at West Hills Humana Hospital and released.

In the hospital emergency room, Adams presented Beau with a bag of toys that included a firetruck and a doll. “He was very happy about it,” Adams said.

The apartment sustained severe smoke damage and it was unclear when the family could return.

A short time later, firefighters delivered a bag of toys to Jake, 11, and Heather Cerigioni, 7, whose house in the 6300 block of Jackie Avenue in Woodland Hills was damaged by a fire Wednesday sparked by a faulty clothes dryer vent.

The blaze caused $15,000 worth of damage to the house, destroying the attached garage. Worse yet, Jake and Heather’s parents, David and Cynthia Cerigioni, had stashed their presents in the garage. “All they had were burned,” Adams said.

Firefighters dropped off Barbie dolls and GI Joes as well as stuffed animals for the children. The Red Cross will put the family up at a local hotel until Monday. After that, the Cerigionis are uncertain what they will do.

“My poor kids were so depressed,” Cynthia Cerigioni said. “But the gifts made them feel better. It was real nice for them.”