Fire Causes Minor Damage to Duplex
A pile of clothes left on top of a floor heater sparked a fire that caused minor damage to an Oak View duplex Friday, fire officials said.
The blaze started in a bedroom at 377 Prospect St. about 1:30 p.m. Resident Sabrina Gaumer tried to douse the flames using a fire extinguisher but called authorities when the blaze became too big.
The fire was contained to the first-floor unit and was extinguished in about 15 minutes, Ventura County Fire Capt. Chris Mahon said. Damage to the structure was $5,000, and about $500 worth of contents was destroyed.
During the blaze, firefighters attempted to evacuate a man sleeping in a second-floor unit but were stopped by a pit bull guarding the front door, Mahon said.
Deputies then telephoned the man, who came out minutes later.
Gaumer and her family--a sister, a brother and her grandfather--were expected to stay in the damaged apartment.
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