San Luis Obispo - A San Luis Obispo mother and her six children escaped an early morning apartment fire on Orcutt Road investigators say was started by a candle in a bedroom.
Here's what the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department is saying about the fire:
San Luis Obispo City Fire Department personnel responded to a reported structure fire at 1112 Orcutt Road in the City of San Luis Obispo at 1:12 am this morning.
First arriving units found a growing fire in a second floor apartment bedroom in the two-story multi-unit apartment complex.
SLO Police Departments units arriving just ahead of the firefighters confirmed that all 7 occupants of the 4 bedroom apartment had successfully been evacuated.
The occupants- a mother and her 6 children- narrowly escaped the rapidly spreading fire. All of them were asleep at the time the fire was discovered.
The fire was quickly attacked and the adjacent apartments were protected from damage caused by the developing fire. Control was achieved within 15 minutes of the initial 9-1-1 call.
The City responded a battalion chief, a ladder truck, and three fire engines. Cal Fire also responded an engine and a battalion chief as part of the automatic aid agreement.
Operations utilized to control the incident were fire attack, ventilation, shut down of the power utilities, and salvage of valuables. The American Red Cross also responded and is providing temporary housing and assistance to the displaced family.
One minor injury (smoke inhalation) occurred to one of the occupants of the apartment. She was evaluated and released at scene. No injuries to fire personnel occurred. The property loss/damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $20,000.
According to SLOFD Fire Captain John MacDonald the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature and involved a candle in a glass container in one of the children's bedrooms. The candle spread fire when it cracked and ignited the bedpost and bedding.
The apartment had no properly installed or functioning smoke detectors.
The public is reminded to use extreme caution when using candles. Never leave them unattended or lit after you leave your home or go to bed.
