This two-story home, located at 3160 Oak Leaf Court, in the Jackson Oaks area, was gutted by a quickly spreading fire early Saturday morning.
Photo by: imaginarephotovideo.com
A two-story home in the Jackson Oaks area burned to the ground early Saturday morning, authorities said.
After a night of barbecuing, Luz Daniels and her daughter Teresa woke up early to the smell of smoke and the heat of flames that quickly took the entire house down.
Unable to open their eyes because of the thick, heavy smoke, the two women felt their way through the hallway and out the front door.
David Daniels, the father of the household, was at work.
According to Teresa Daniels, 25, the fire started about 6:30 a.m. in the backyard and quickly spread throughout the home inhabited by four people and a dog.
The Daniels had been using a round Webber-model barbecue with charcoal the night before.
The Jackson Oaks neighborhood straddles east Dunne Avenue.
Homes in that area sell for between $800,000 to more than $1 million.
Nobody was injured or hurt during the fire.
According to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Ken McGeever, 15 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
McGeever said that local fire units handled the call well.
"The response by all agencies involved was excellent," McGeever said. "We evaluated what was going on and had good cooperation from everyone involved."
McGeever also said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but did rule out the possibility of arson.
Oak Leaf Court was quiet on Wednesday afternoon as the house at 3160 remained empty, its facade standing solely on the foundation, the insides bare.
Guy Bursese, who lives next door to the Daniels, said that he has seen more cars than usual this week in his neighborhood because of the fire. He was in his home Saturday morning doing paperwork when he looked out of his side window and saw the house on fire.
"I saw the glow of the fire through the window," Bursese said. "I ran outside to the front yard and saw the mother and daughter standing out in front of the home. The house went up like a matchbox. I then ran back inside my house and told my wife to call 911."
Bursese's 30-foot-tall Italian Cypress trees were singed and had water damage that ran from the neighboring fence all the way down to his basement. He was glad that nobody was injured during the fire.
"The neighbors are good people," Bursese said. "They're quiet and they don't bother anybody."
Half of the street where the home was located, particularly residents who live north of the burning structure, were evacuated, said neighbor Ted Salamone said.
Salamone, who has lived on the street for about five years, said he and other neighbors are raising money to help the family. Anyone interested in contributing money or items can contact Salamone at (408) 779-2223.
Teresa Daniels said that the family plans to rebuild the home and has received a tremendous amount of help from the local Red Cross in their time of need.
The family is staying at the Quality Inn hotel on Condit Road.
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