BARBECUE FIRE DESTROYS VALLEY FAMILY'S HOME.Byline: Andrea Cavanaugh Staff Writer RESEDA - A fire sparked by an unattended barbecue gutted a home Friday night and left a family of four homeless a week before Christmas. No one was hurt in the blaze, which was reported about 5:55 p.m. in the 6900 block of Calvin Avenue. Homeowner Louie Reyes' brother- and sister-in-law were barbecuing on the home's back patio, and the flames apparently were whipped out of control by gusty gust·y adj. gust·i·er, gust·i·est 1. Blowing in or marked by gusts: a gusty storm. 2. Characterized by sudden outbursts. winds, said John Duca, a battalion chief with the Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. . By the time firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in flames In Flames is a melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden founded in 1990. Along with Dark Tranquillity and At the Gates, they pioneered what is now known as melodic death metal. that were spreading to a neighbor's home. Underneath the Christmas lights hanging from the eaves, the home's shattered shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. windows forecast a bleak holiday for Reyes, his wife and their two children, ages 10 and 16. About 90 percent of the home's contents were damaged or destroyed, including the family's Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. and presents. ``Everything was wrapped up already,'' Reyes said. ``We lost everything.'' The family and their two dogs likely will stay with relatives while they decide what to do next, Reyes said. Damage from the fire was estimated at $175,000 to the structure and $75,000 to the contents. Andrea Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3669 andrea.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com |
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