PINE MOUNTAIN (Saturday, Nov. 21, 3:45 a.m.)—At 2:55 a.m. the glow in the misty sky above Target and St. Anton in Pine Mountain caught the attention of Stan Enscoe of Pine Mountain Patrol. "I thought it was a UFO at first," he said, looking up from the area of the PMC golf course toward the houses off of Matterhorn Drive. By 3 a.m. the house was fully engaged in 40 foot flames. A patrol and pumper truck from Pine Mountain’s Station 58 were on scene shortly after. Two firefighters with hoses isolated the fire area, protecting surrounding homes as neighbors looked on. The Mountain Enterprise was on scene by 3:10 a.m. A cascade of embers flowed downhill from the back of the burning home toward San Anton.

Fortunately there was no wind. "The temperature is low and the humidity is high," Enscoe observed. Members of the Martinez family, neighbors from across the street, informed firefighters that the house had been under renovation for "a couple of years," and that workers with power tools and painters had been there at about 11 a.m. Friday, but that there were no vehicles at the house by the afternoon. It is believed that no one was in the home at the time of the fire.

By 3:30 a.m. Engines 56 and 57 from Frazier Park and Lebec were assisting to extenguish the ember shower. Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Engine 77 from Gorman appeared along with personnel from Mettler’s Engine 55 by 4 a.m. when the flames in the home were suppressed and dark smoke began to settle over the area.

Release from Kern County Fire Department at 1:58 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21

PINE MOUNTAIN, CA – On Saturday November 21, 2009 at approximately 2:51 a.m., a call was received by the Kern County Fire Department for a structure fire in the Pine Mountain area at 1927 Target Place. Approximately 23 personnel responded to the incident. Kern County Firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Los Angeles County and the Los Padres National Forest Service.

Upon arrival, crews reported an approximately 2000 square foot structure fully engulfed in flames. Initial resources took a defensive stance which involves protecting exposures and other values at risk. The fire extended into the wildland where crews were able to control it at less than one acre.

Battalion Chief Kirk Kushen, the incidents commander, reported that the fire destroyed the entire structure which value was estimated at $350,000.. He also stated that there were no reported injuries.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. However, the KernCounty Fire Department would like to remind residents that there have been a considerable number of fires in homes as of late. Please assure that you have working smoke detectors and make sure all possible ignition sources are eliminated prior to leaving your home.
 

This is part of the November 20, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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