Orchid Ave. House Burns — Lincoln Teacher Called Hero

posted: January 6th, 2010 10:06 am | 5Comments

hero1heroA Lincoln Elementary schoolteacher was driving to work this morning when he smelled smoke pouring out of an Orchid Avenue home.

“I could see the smoke and thought, ‘That’s not right,’ ” said Charlie Fisher. “I called 911 and went to the front door and saw a note to someone that said ‘Love, Dad,’ and I thought, ‘Awww…somebody’s in there.’”

By then, a neighbor who lives up the street from the fire at 507 Orchid Avenue also stopped to help.

“I thought I was driving through a chemical cloud,” said Jeff Eigenman.

Eigenman and Fisher felt the home’s front door, which was hot, they said. Fisher kicked open the door, and the men began hollering to see if anyone was trapped inside.

“We couldn’t get inside, it was too hot,” Eigenman said. “We yelled, but no one responded.”

Minutes later, fire crews arrived and went through the home — which was empty. Some neighbors said they thought an older man lived there, but others said they thought the home was abandoned and slated for demolition. A home next door is under construction.

Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz said the fire began in the kitchen and shot up. Witnesses said fire crews used a ladder to get on the roof, then used a chainsaw to cut into the home. Smoke filled the air, but flames were not seen from outside.

Firefighters called for a second alarm when they thought someone might be inside the home. The cause, along with damage estimates and other information, are not yet available, she said.

Fisher said he remembered fire safety tips from a visit that Schulz had made to Lincoln Elementary.

Schulz said that he was hero for stopping to help.

“He did just a great job,” she said. “He’s the hero of the day.”

« »

5 Responses to “Orchid Ave. House Burns — Lincoln Teacher Called Hero”

Comments

Leave a comment

Top News

CdM This Weekend: Five Great Things For Your To-Do List

Corona del Mar's Twistbands Spark National Craze

Junior Guards Run, Swim "Monster Mile" Today At Balboa Pier

Man Attacks Corona del Mar Woman With Gun

Amy the Ranter

Rude Teens

Library Drop Box

Open Letter From Angels Stadium

Oasis Center

CDM Youth Sports

Coastal League Boys' Hoops Tourney Begins Tonight

Local Football Team Going to Youth Super Bowl

AYSO 57 Holds Traditional Pancake Breakfast, Photo Day on Sunday

AYSO 57 Opens Season