Fire Destroys House; Family of 6 Escapes

A family of six was driven from the home they rented in Ojai early Tuesday when faulty electrical wiring sparked a blaze that destroyed the residence, the Ventura County Fire Department reported.

The fire broke out about 4 a.m. in a bedroom of the home in the 400 block of El Paseo Road just north of California 150, authorities said.

One family member who was awakened by the smell of smoke alerted the others, all of whom fled. When firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames, authorities said.

Alejandra Arrellano, who lives at the house with her husband, Mauricio, and their four children, was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation, authorities said. There were no other injuries.

The 1,800-square-foot, single-story house was gutted by flames and authorities estimated the damage at $180,000.

Authorities said the family was fortunate to have escaped serious injury because there were no smoke detectors in the residence.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross assisted the Arrellanos and their two sons, 17 and 5, and two daughters, 10 and 2, with clothing and temporary housing.