Fire at Vons Causes $50,000 in Damage
Two Ventura County sheriff’s deputies and a Santa Paula police officer on his way to work helped clear employees out of a grocery store where a fire erupted early Tuesday.
The three managed to get all the employees out safely, and no injuries were reported in the blaze. Damage to the store was estimated at $50,000.
Deputies Marty Pettit and Merrill Horton and Officer James Fogata spotted the fire about 5:35 a.m. They rushed into the store, a Vons at 576 W. Main St., and evacuated all the people inside.
None of the employees were aware of the fire, which apparently began in an electrical panel. About 30 Santa Paula firefighters were called to fight the blaze.
Most of the damage occurred in the front of the store, according to Sgt. Ismael Cordero. The store was shut down for repairs but was expected to reopen today, a Vons official said.
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