Woman, Son Die in Fire Despite Rescue Attempt : Simi Valley: Husband suffers third-degree burns in his effort to pull wife and their child to safety.

Despite her husband’s rescue efforts, a Simi Valley woman died with her 7-year-old son Tuesday when they were unable to escape their burning house, authorities said.

The husband, identified as Joseph Booker, 36, suffered third-degree burns on his arms while reaching toward a second-floor window for his son, Brandon, authorities said. Booker, who had climbed atop the garage roof, tried at least twice to reach his son and his wife, Odette, 38, fire officials speculate.

But he eventually gave up, jumping off the garage roof and hitting a block wall as he fell, authorities said.

Ventura County firefighters said they did not find a smoke detector in the ruins of the five-bedroom house in the 2800 block of Corto Street. The cause of the fire had not been determined, but a preliminary investigation did not show any signs of arson.

“I feel that if there had been a smoke detector in there, they would not have died,” fire Investigator Peter Cronk said after examining the charred remains of the house. “This is one of those things that slipped through the cracks, and this is the result.”

Odette and Brandon Booker died after breathing smoke and carbon monoxide fumes, Ventura County Deputy Coroner Zelmira Isaac said.

“We found them collapsed close to the window where the mother was attempting to give the child to the father,” Isaac said. “She was holding the boy in her arms.”

Joseph Booker was in critical condition at the burn center at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital late Tuesday. He suffered burns over 25% to 30% of his body, primarily to his head and arms, hospital officials said.

Another son, Mathis Booker, 18, was not home when the fire broke out in the living room, authorities said. Police said they were trying to locate him Tuesday.

Firefighters said they found the house fully engulfed in flames after neighbors notified authorities at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday. Thirty-six firefighters fought the blaze for about 30 minutes before bringing it under control, authorities said.

Neighbors who were evacuated from nearby homes said they did not hear any smoke alarms and were not aware there was a fire until they were awakened by the sound of breaking glass.

Under a Ventura County ordinance passed in June, 1982, all property owners must install and maintain smoke detectors in houses, said County Assistant Fire Marshal Kevin Nestor. Since the law passed, fire officials have inspected all houses built in Ventura County after June, 1982, for smoke detectors, but Nestor said fire officials have not been able to inspect all houses built before 1982.

Violation of the ordinance carries a maximum $500 fine and imprisonment for up to six months, fire officials said.

A state law passed in 1991 requires that all new houses have smoke detectors in hallways and in each bedroom, fire officials said.

Neighbors estimated that the Bookers had rented the house for about 18 years. According to 1993 property tax records, the house was built in 1963. A Simi Valley woman listed as the owner did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Neighbors of the family said they were surprised to hear the Bookers apparently did not have a smoke detector.

They described the couple as a responsible pair who kept candles ready for blackouts and other emergencies, and had jumper cables ready at a neighbor’s request. They trimmed their landscaping and painted the house on a regular basis, neighbors said. Among their charred belongings, fire officials found pamphlets about earthquake preparedness.

“They’re very kind people,” said Anna Schmidt, who lives across the street from the family. “They came over and brought candles to see how we were during a blackout. They checked on us after the (Jan. 17) earthquake.”

Employers of the couple also described both as well-liked and responsible.

Odette Booker worked as a customer service representative for Pru Care of California, a subsidiary of the Prudential insurance company. She was elected employee of the month in November, 1992, company officials said.

Joseph Booker is employed by Simi Valley-based Bugle Boy, a clothing manufacturer. He works in the mail room and is popular throughout the company, officials said. Neighbors said Booker enjoyed playing baseball with Brandon, who was in Little League.

Fire officials said they suspect many Ventura County residents have failed to install smoke detectors or neglect to check them regularly. Nationwide, an estimated 90% of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but about one-third of them do not work because the batteries are old or were never installed, said Sandi Wells, spokeswoman for the County Fire Department.

Studies show that homes with smoke alarms have death rates 40% less than homes without, Wells said.

“It gives people time to get out,” Wells said. “This family had no time to get out. The fire had already reached them.”