An apartment fire caused the death of a 7-year-old boy despite the efforts of bystanders. The boy's mother and sister escaped injuries. The fire apparently started with a Christmas tree.
Arcadia firemen warned local residents to be particularly concerned with fire dangers in the wake of a garage fire that did $40,000 damage at 231 Carolwood Drive, threatening nearby homes and brush-covered hillsides.
Arcadia will no longer permit wood roofs for new construction and replacement throughout the city. The City Council has restricted all new roofing to Class A. Final vote was 3-2, with Councilmen David Hannah and Dick Haltom against the ban on wood roofs and Mayor Don Pellegrino joining Councilman Jeff Dring and Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Lojeski on the winning side.
Arson is suspected in a $150,000 fire that gutted a brand new office building at 411 South First Avenue on September 11. The building housed the law offices of Pike, Wilson and Cosso.
A blaze that gutted a house at 78 W. Las Flores early Saturday morning appears to have started accidentally. The blaze left a man and a woman dead, and a 7 year old boy in critical condition.
Correction of article of July 6, 1982: The Council actually voted to refer the ordinance back to the City Attorney to include the latest recommendations made by Fire Chief Jerry Gardner. He will return the amended ordinance to the Council at their next meeting.
Don's Chevron Station at the southwest corner of Duarte Road and Second Avenue was demolished by fire. Owner Don Shepherd was attempting to repair a leaking gas tank on a station wagon when a light broke and ignited the gasoline. Damage was estimated at $200,000.
Firefighters rescued a 7-year old boy from an upstairs bedroom as fire engulfed the home at 70 W. Las Flores Ave. They were unable to save a man and woman inside the house, who were found dead.
Henry Amparan and David "Casey" Jones are being hailed as local heroes for their quick thinking in using a ladder to lead three people to safety when a fire swept through a second-story apartment at the San Souci complex at 501 East Live Oak Ave.
It appears likely the Arcadia City Council will make a 180 degree turn at the July 6 meeting, when the proposed ban on wood roofs will once again be on the agenda. At the meeting last week Pellegrino and Lojeski had apparently changed their minds. In any case the second reading has been held over to the next meeting. Concerned citizens were given a chance to speak on the issue during the time reserved for audience participation.
The much-discussed ordinance governing types of roofs that can be used in Arcadia will be given a second reading at council meeting of August 17 and become effective 30 days later. Ordinance divides city into two zones: hazardous fire area in foothills and non-hazardous in lowlands.
New roofs and additions or alterations involving 50% of the total square footage of the roof must conform to Class A standards for buildings in hazardous fire areas, the foothill areas. Home owners in non-hazardous fire areas will be allowed use of either Class A or Class B roofing materials. In addition, alterations or repairs involving 25% or less of a roof area may use any existing material. The Council gave final approval by a three to one vote. (See 1603AN for correction.)
Ordinance governing roofs given first reading by City Council Tuesday night. Following second reading and 30-day waiting period, Arcadians who construct new roofs will be required to use specific fire-retardant materials.
A roof collapsed on top of firefighters battling an intense blaze at 122 White Oaks Drive Sunday, pinning two firefighters to the ground and injuring four others who rushed in to rescue them.