Fire in Avila Beach destroys one home, damages another
A structure fire in Avila Beach destroyed one home and damaged another on Wednesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
The fire was reported at about 1:20 p.m. in the 100 block of Valley View Lane, according to Cal Fire spokesman Adan Orozco.
When firefighters arrived, they found a manufactured home fully engulfed in flames, and the fire was spreading to a second house, Orozco said.
“Wind played a factor in that,” Orozco said, adding that the wind also blew the fire into “ornamental vegetation,” across the street, which included pine trees and leaves in a flowerbed, as well as some bushes.
“Firefighters were able to put that out before it spread to a third home,” Orozco said.
Jake Vierra, supervising Harbor Patrol officer for the Port San Luis Harbor District, arrived at the fire soon after it started and found two firefighters battling the blaze, according to a Facebook post from the Port San Luis Harbor District. The firefighters weren’t able to search for the homeowner.
Vierra kicked down the back fence leading to the home’s yard and found the homeowner, a 92-year-old World War II veteran, the Harbor District said. Vierra led both the man and his dog to safety, according to the Harbor District.
“Because of the actions of HPO Vierra, this gentleman sustained no injuries (or worse!) but is safe with family members,” the Harbor District said.
Eight homes were evacuated as a precaution, Orozco said, and evacuation orders were lifted when the fire was knocked down around 2:30 p.m.
One firefighter received a minor injury fighting the fire. Orozco said the first firefighter on scene who first entered the house received “radiant burns to his shoulder.”
The owner of the first home that burned told officials he heard some kind of popping sound, Orozco said. When the homeowner went to investigate, he saw that his house was on fire.
“He was able to get out of the house okay,” Orozco said, adding that an ambulance arrived as a precaution and medics evaluated him.
The first home, where the fire originated, is considered a total loss while the second home experienced “significant exterior damage,” Orozco said.
Firefighters from the Five Cities Fire Authority and San Luis Obispo Fire Department assisted, Orozco said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Harbor District also said another call came in Thursday morning that the home was burning again. Vierra and chief Harbor Patrol officer Matt Ashton arrived, extinguished the small fire that started on the roof and told Cal Fire that additional action was needed.
This story was originally published September 25, 2019 at 1:37 PM.