9 Flee Christmas Tree Fire; None Seriously Hurt
A Christmas tree fire Friday caused $15,000 damage to a residence in Santa Ana, firefighters reported.
One resident, who was not identified, suffered a cut finger trying to fight the roaring blaze, but no serious injuries resulted to any of the nine people who live in the house at 2317 W. Borchard Ave., fire officials said.
The fire erupted at 9:39 a.m. in a “very dry” Christmas tree in the living room of the home, said Battalion Chief Bill Zastrow.
“Something electrical is the probable cause (of the tree fire),” said Zastrow. “The family was outside when the fire broke out, and some of them came running in, using a garden hose to try to put it out. But when a Christmas tree goes up, it’s gone. All you can do is get out of the house.”
He said most of the fire damage was inside the living room but there was also “extensive smoke damage” to other rooms.
Zastrow said the blaze underscores firefighters’ repeated warnings to remove Christmas trees. “It’s after New Year’s, so get them out of your house,” Zastrow said.
The fire here was at least the third Christmas tree fire this season. Yule tree blazes occurred in Anaheim and Costa Mesa within the past two weeks.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
