Third Alarm Structure Fire with Fatalities

On April 1, 2012 at 5:54 a.m., 14 Fire Companies, 1 Breathing Support Unit , 6 Chief Officers, 3 Fire Investigators, 1 Information Officer, 1 EMS Battalion Supervisor, 2 ambulances and 1 Coroner’s Unit responded to a structure fire at 552 Inverness Drive in Pacifica.

The first arriving fire companies on scene reported a fully involved two story single family residence, showing heavy flames from all openings and immediately requested additional resources. There were also reports of two occupants still inside the home. Using multiple hose lines, fire companies gained access inside the fire engulfed home to attempt to locate and make rescues and after getting to the second story living area firefighters were forced out of the first and second floors, due to the intensity of the fire.

Eleven other residents were able to evacuate the home safely. Two adults and one child suffered minor injuries and were treated by fire paramedics and transported by a transport paramedic ambulance to San Francisco General Hospital for further evaluation.

Once the fire was brought under control, fire companies were able to gain access into the home and complete a secondary search, where they located two deceased victims.  There were no injuries to firefighters or the general public.  Fire companies remained on scene throughout the day to complete extensive overhaul, as the structure was a total loss. 

Red Cross personnel were notified and are working on alternate living arrangements for the 6 adults and 5 children displaced from the fire. 

The fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Prevention Bureau.

North County Fire Authority wants to remind the public to install and maintain lifesaving smoke detectors.