Deadly limo fire: Victims part of bachelorette party

Five women killed in a bizarre limousine fire Saturday night in the Bay Area were part of a bachelorette party that included the bride-to-be, according to authorities and local media reports.

The victims have not been identified, pending notification of relatives, authorities said. Four other women and the driver of vehicle managed to escaped the burning vehicle, which was crossing the San Mateo Bridge at the time.

San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault told the San Jose Mercury News that the limousine picked up the women in Oakland and was taking them to a hotel in Foster City as part of a bachelorette party. The bride was among those killed, the paper reported.

A dispatcher for Limo Stop, the limousine’s operator, told the reporter that the company was cooperating with the investigation.

“We are very shocked,” Limo Stop dispatcher Pam said.

The surviving passengers — Jasmine Desguia, 34, of San Jose; Amalia Loyola, 48, of San Leandro; Nelia Arellano, 36, of Oakland; and Mary Guardiano, 42, of Alameda — were taken to area hospitals where they were treated for moderate burns and smoke inhalation, authorities said. The driver, Orville Brown, 46, of San Jose, was not injured in the accident.

Authorities said it could take days to determine the cause of the fire.

“This is not something that gets rushed through,” said CHP Officer James Evans.

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angel.jennings@latimes.com