Garden Grove Resident Shares His Experience of Escaping a House Fire
Fire Claims Family Pet but Allows Residents to Escape in Garden Grove
A tragic fire swept through a home in Garden Grove on Monday evening, claiming the life of a family pet while allowing five residents to escape with their lives.
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. on Flannel Avenue, where quick action and a functional smoke alarm played crucial roles in the residents’ survival. Jose Figueroa recounted his harrowing experience, recalling how he had only moments to flee the flames. He spoke with reporters still dressed in the clothes he wore the night before.
“When I grabbed my dog, I was running down the hallway and the fire just, whoosh,” Figueroa said.
Figueroa, along with his 68-year-old mother, a brother, a sister-in-law, a family friend, and four dogs, managed to escape the home just in time. Unfortunately, one dog did not survive. Amelia Quinones, Figueroa’s mother, mourned the loss of a puppy given to her by her children following the death of her husband two months ago.
“Now this is two strong tragedies,” Quinones said, visibly shaken.
The family credited the recently installed smoke detectors for alerting them to the fire. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) emphasized the importance of having working smoke alarms in residences as a vital safety measure. “To hear about those working smoke alarms put a big smile on my face to know they were present in the house, and they were functioning and they did their job,” said OCFA Capt. Sean Doran.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, firefighters suspect it may have originated from a damaged or malfunctioning extension cord located behind a bed.
