​Family Safe After

Home Destroyed by FIRE 

  

Photos courtesy of San Bernadino County Fire 

  

Early Saturday morning firefighters from San Bernardino County Fire Station 57 Fire Fighters, responded to reports of a house on fire at the 13700 block of Benton Street in the rural community of Trona. The first engine arrived minutes later to find heavy smoke and fire erupting from the single-family concrete home.

Prior to firefighter arrival, the father was able to rescue his wife and children from the burning home. The male adult stated his young son woke up to the smell of smoke and immediately alerted him. When the adult exited his bedroom, he found the hallway filled with smoke and could see flames. Feeling his way through the home, the father began evacuating his family, at times carrying them through the blaze. Two dogs also safely escaped the fire.

Upon arrival, responders and paramedics immediately rendered medical aid and transported the victims to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital with the assistance of Liberty Ambulance (Ridgecrest) and China Lake Naval Base Fire (Ridgecrest). Although not believed to be life-threatening, the two adults suffered 2nd degree burns, while the four children suffered 1st degree and superficial burns.

San Bernardino County Fire Fighters began aggressively attacking the fire with the assistance of Fire Fighters from the Searles Valley Minerals Fire personnel (Trona). Despite downed power lines, firefighters had the fire under control within 25 minutes. Fire units from the China Lake Naval Base also assisted with firefighting efforts. Firefighters were instrumental in keeping the blaze confined to the structure itself.

The fire is under investigation by San Bernardino County Fire investigators, with the assistance of San Bernardino County Sheriff Arson/Bomb investigators.  At this time the fire is believed to have started in a wall heater.  It is unknown if there were any working smoke detectors in the home.

The home was completely destroyed by fire. No loss estimates available at this time. The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced family.

San Bernardino County Fire reminds residents to provide two means of escape from every room and make sure everyone knows where to meet after leaving the home. Develop and practice a fire escape plan for your household.

 

Remember, never return to a burning building for any reason.

Your belongings can be replaced – you can’t!