HUNTINGTON BEACH
A fire that injured a firefighter and gutted a home Monday in the 2000 block of Shorewood Circle has been blamed on faulty Christmas tree lights. Firefighter Andy Zepeda suffered second-degree burns to his knees when the water being used to douse the flames reached boiling point and burned through his protective gear. He was treated at Huntington Beach Hospital and released but is on leave to recuperate. A family of five escaped the home after the tree erupted in flames about 5:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators said Tuesday that they believe faulty lights sparked the fire, which damaged about 70% of the house.
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