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UPDATE: 'Hoarding Conditions' Intensified Monrovia House Fire

Two people lost their house when it burst into flames Sunday, a fire official said.

A devastating fire destroyed a Mayflower Avenue home Sunday morning and "hoarding conditions" inside the house appear to have contributed to the fire's intensity, a fire official said.

Firefighters responded to the call in the 300 block of North Mayflower at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Monrovia Fire Chief Christopher Donovan said.

"The residents tried to self-extinguish and were forced out of the house," Donovan said. "They then grabbed a garden house and attempted to put out the fire with a garden hose."

Donovan said the delay caused by the residents waiting to call 9-1-1 allowed the fire to spread more quickly than it would have if authorities were called immediately.

"Hoarding conditions" present inside the home "intensified the fire" and made the fire more difficult to extinguish, Donovan said.

The home is a complete loss and damage is estimated at about $300,000 for the home and property inside.

The cause of the fire was a heating pad on a blanket in the bedroom that overheated, Donovan said. No injuries were reported but the two occupants of the house have now been displaced, he said.

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Patrick January 27, 2013 at 04:48 pm
Great Job MFD !
Elizabeth Chase January 27, 2013 at 04:49 pm
The second house fire in Monrovia in few days. What's going on?? I feel so terrible for these people. I hope they have family nearby and a place to stay. Patch, please let us know how your readers in the community can come together and help this week's fire victims.
Kathy Rosenberg January 27, 2013 at 04:54 pm
I live behind the house that caught fire. My thanks to the quick response of the Monrovia Fire Department and the Monrovia Police Department. Their quick response prevented the spread of an intense fire. Job well done!!!
Dan Crandell January 27, 2013 at 04:57 pm
My wife told me to check the garage. The smoke was that thick.
Jill Pyeatt January 27, 2013 at 05:07 pm
My goodness, 2 fires in thre days! I feel so bad for the families who lost their homes.
B Ulm January 27, 2013 at 06:22 pm
So sorry for the 2 families effected. I second Elizabeth's request to let the community know what they can do to help the families. Hang in there everyone!
Nicoline Conway January 27, 2013 at 07:51 pm
What can we do to help?
Ellen Zunino January 27, 2013 at 08:49 pm
Home fires are traumatic. I hope the families got safely settled somewhere temporarily without too much trouble.
The number of homes burning over the weekend does seem odd. We used to see multiple house fires caused by exterior and interior decorative lights in the weeks before Christmas (the empty lot at the south-east corner of Foothill and Canyon used to have a beautiful Craftsman sitting on it). Since the introduction of cool, low-wattage LED lights, Christmas house fires are rare.
Jon Samardzich January 28, 2013 at 02:07 am
"Since the introduction of cool, low-wattage LED lights, Christmas house fires are rare." Based on what data?
Overloaded circuits utilizing power strips in lieu of surge suppressors, unattended candles, outdated structural wiring, extension cords used in place of permanent wiring, accumulation of lint inside dryer cabinets and ductwork,.... are but a few examples of the many causations of house fires. And Christmas season is among the busiest time of year for house fires. Addressing the above will go a long way toward maintaining a fire-safe household environment. And regular replacement of smoke detector batteries is highly advised as well.
jeanie normand January 28, 2013 at 02:17 am
I feel so helpless! This is my aunt & another male family member, who were both widowed respectively. He missed his wife and only deceased son so much that he couldn't bring himself to get rid of their things. It breaks my heart to see that he was called a "hoarder". My aunt lived in a spare room and her's was the origin of the fire. They are all alone, all of the rest of our family is here in Missouri and not able to get out there. I cannot imagine the TERROR that they were facing this morning!!!Please keep them in your prayers until we can get them some help. God Bless.
Dan Crandell January 28, 2013 at 03:47 am
Trust but Verify is always a wise first step in offering to help an unknown person. Just a thought folks.
heather sudweeks January 28, 2013 at 04:51 am
This was my grand father and my grandmothers home. When my uncle passed and the my other grandmother my grandfather couldn't get rid of their things. They lived in that house for 45 years. I live in Las Vegas and am on my way down to Monrovia. Unfortunately we don't have money for anything. We scrapped pennies just for me to get there. They have lost EVERYTHING. They only have the clothes on their back. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My name is heather and my phone number is 702-283-9680 please feel free to call me if u are wanting to help ..anything would be greatly appreciated. They have been members of the community for a long time.
Janie Duncan January 28, 2013 at 05:22 pm
I volunteer at the new United Thrift Store at the United Methodist Church in Monrovia at 140 E. Palm Ave. I spoke to Heather the granddaughter of these folks and told her to bring them to the shop on Tuesday. We are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2. I said I would buy them some clothes. Everything is 1/2 off this month so that at least will give them something to wear. If anyone wants to help me with this please call me at home at 626 358 8158 or come to the store on Tuesday.
Michelle Leffingwell January 28, 2013 at 06:30 pm
This was my grandfathers home. His daughter (my mom) and all of us kids drove from Vegas and are here with him. Not sure how to move on. All of his memories of his late wife and son are all gone. His son was a famous artist and American band stand dancer.
Janie Duncan January 29, 2013 at 12:26 am
I was just in contact with the family and they will know more Tuesday about what the folks need. They plan to come to the Thrift store about 1pm and get some clothes. If you would like to help you may come to the store tomorrow and drop off donations for these elderly people. The man is a size XL and the woman a medium and a size 6 shoe. I have some sheets sets but could use some blankets and pillows and towels. I put together a bag of toiletries. Come on Monrovians Step up and have a heart.
Jill Pyeatt January 29, 2013 at 01:50 am
Janie, if they'll accept a Target gift card, I have one that I can take by your house. I wish I was able to do more.
Gayle M. Montgomery January 29, 2013 at 03:52 am
Sign up for the Arcadia Freecycle Chapter and post the need. Usually, the first thing you post is something you have to give away, and it could be anything (even a coupon sometimes). Reference this article in your posting. Then make a succinct list of items. The moderator on that list can be kind of finicky, but you may be able to get it through. Someone will have to pick the things up. But what that will do for you is to put you in touch with people whose nature is to give things away. In addition to the thrift store mentioned, there is a HUGE thrift store with very reasonably priced items in Covina on Arrow Highway west of Grand, the Community Thrift Store (I believe). If they are set up in another place to live and insurance affords them this (i.e., they're fire insurance pays something), refurbished appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers) can be purchased for very cheap at The Covina Trading Post on San Bernardino Rd between Barranca and Grand in Covina (north side of the street, hole in the wall). Folks in there are nice and delivery is reasonable.
Maybe someone can identify specifically what these folks need once they have been relocated, and the community can do a drop off. Let's not forget the woman whose home burned Friday looking for her dog.
Ron January 29, 2013 at 11:58 am
I found the hoarding tidbit to be inappropriate and insensitive as well. Not only do these poor people have to deal with the aftermath of losing their home but now they have to deal with stigma of being classified as hoarders.
In the future i would suggest a little more tact when reporting on such things Mr. McIntire.
Janie Duncan January 29, 2013 at 01:53 pm
That would be terrific. Jill. Is there any way you can bring it to the thrift store today before 2?
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
rubberband June 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
Perhaps I am unclear on what exactly you would have done? Take away visas from Chinese only? NotRead More allow anyone pregnant to cross our boarders even with a visa? Pregnancy tests at the boarder? Or start a fund for what you call "the hard-working Mexican people?" I am going to assume you were kidding and waxing sardonic when you wrote that they don't have the luxury of staying in a decent hotel...and I really find myself hoping that you have some idea of the WORLD you live in, not just your immediate area. This is not an attack; it is a very real appeal to ask : What would you have DONE about it? Please allow issues of legality, human ethical behavior, financial liability, and finally a realistic approach to your response.
Kate K. June 19, 2013 at 10:59 am
Are you all standing at the Arcadia City Council meetings, telling the City and Arcadia Police Dept.Read More to crack down on these hotels that are turned into "birthing houses" ? If its not against any statute then YOU need to work to get a statute drafted and enacted as law to stop this. YOU are "We the People", and if you don't make the laws, someone else will. Complaining online may make us feel better, but it will resolve nothing.
Brenda Winner June 19, 2013 at 03:45 pm
Be part of the change you insist on happening. Bring some ideas out and present them to whoeverRead More needs to see tham. You make it sound like its a situation that you think is not your problem but yet you expect smeone else to make it better You have no clue about the culture, the reasoning or the attempts that may have been made or are in the works. Lend a hand.
rubberband June 12, 2013 at 10:17 pm
See other post about this: It needed to happen...(Ancient Burial Ground that was desecrated) but IRead More maintain we should get some sort of "cleansing" or burn some incense/sage or call for an exorcism. I believe the evil mojo needs to be banished before we build again.........
donna mills June 8, 2013 at 04:40 pm
Hi Therese, I am good friends with Star Shields. He is a busy face painter, and often needs back-upRead More either at the Summer festival in Laguna Beach, now underway, or with one of his other commitments. If you're interested, I would be happy to give you his contact details via email.
Therese B. June 8, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Hi Donna! Star is a good friend of mine too!!! He is more an airbrush artist (and a darn goodRead More one!!) then a face painter. But he is truly a legend in his craft. I have been lucky enough to work with him and learn from him too! I just wish he wasn't so far away :( Nice to hear from you!
donna mills June 11, 2013 at 03:52 pm
Oh wow! what a small world! Best, Donna
rubberband June 7, 2013 at 04:22 pm
Old fashioned country vet "patchin' up" was some of the cool stuff I was taught growingRead More up. Splinting a bird's wing or leg, getting a thorn out of a slightly infected cat or dog paw was part of learning. I am NOT saying to eliminate/not see a REAL vet, however some things can be handled at home with a bit of basic medical knowledge and Bactine/hot clean water and towels/tweezers and some loving hands to hold Fido or Snowball when you can do it yourself. I am already bracing myself for the angry openly hostile messages this post might draw, so it's OK if you feel the need to do so. Watching some of my older friends who have limited income spend THOUSANDS of dollars for a beloved pet out of pressure/and what I call "pusher's guilt" sorta made me feel like mentioning that in the old days, some of the animal care was done by a wise farm woman/man...not all vets are crooks, and not all pet needs need put you in the poor house.
lynn June 7, 2013 at 07:24 pm
I love the old farmers remedies, particularly for mange however when dealing with elderly animalsRead More and certain conditions you just get around it. The farmers remedies are often slow working causing more pain then an animal needs to go through. I try holistic meds quite often for some bacterial infections and they are slow too. Cats in particular are difficult treat. They are great in some situations but in others the it is not appropriate. I will attempt the at home first then the vet. My recent situation was a neglected kitty I rescued with a 1.25 lb cyst I had no idea she had the cyst just thought she was matted. I was trying to get her shaved. Kitty's don't cooperate for though things. One thing led to another she ends up on the operating table. No rescue groups would help me and that's where my anger is directed. I have been donating to different groups monthly for more then 20 years. At one point three different groups at the same time. No one helped me when I needed it. I'm done.
rubberband June 8, 2013 at 11:31 pm
@Lynn: Reading your posts I felt some anger FOR you. HUGE animal lover here, and ALL my pets areRead More rescues/fosters except for the Robo dwarf hamster. Love my cats, and know there just some things you can't do to a kitty without risking kitty AND your own safety. What you have experienced was pretty much the exact thing I saw some older friends go thru...Care about their pets, want to get help, and can't seem to get any or get SOME but with hidden costs and "guilt trips" at the end. If no one said it, thanks for helping critters out and giving when you could. Sorry it was not rewarded.
donna mills June 3, 2013 at 01:20 pm
Gasp! Seriously? OMG--Poltergeist get behind me!!
rubberband June 3, 2013 at 01:48 pm
Donna...Poor Donna. My dear, it is too late. Call that weird yet cute little tiny lady toRead More "clean" your home and get your kids out of the television. ......oh and if you have a pool...DO NOT GO SWIMMING.
Dan Crandell June 3, 2013 at 01:58 pm
Love you Donna. Your comment should have been "Poltergeist get ""thee""Read More behind me"!!!!! All in fun.