Fire Causes Minor Damage to Duplex
A pile of clothes left on top of a floor heater sparked a fire that caused minor damage to an Oak View duplex Friday, fire officials said.
The blaze started in a bedroom at 377 Prospect St. about 1:30 p.m. Resident Sabrina Gaumer tried to douse the flames using a fire extinguisher but called authorities when the blaze became too big.
The fire was contained to the first-floor unit and was extinguished in about 15 minutes, Ventura County Fire Capt. Chris Mahon said. Damage to the structure was $5,000, and about $500 worth of contents was destroyed.
During the blaze, firefighters attempted to evacuate a man sleeping in a second-floor unit but were stopped by a pit bull guarding the front door, Mahon said.
Deputies then telephoned the man, who came out minutes later.
Gaumer and her family--a sister, a brother and her grandfather--were expected to stay in the damaged apartment.
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.
