Family loses home in Valley Springs fire

By Joel Metzger

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Posted: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 10:57 AM CST

Seven fire engines responded to a house ablaze on Hartvickson Lane in Valley Springs Friday afternoon that displaced a single mother and her three sons.

The call came in at 1:29 p.m., and Foothill Fire Chief Michael Siligo arrived within minutes.

“I was first at scene and there was heavy smoke coming from the building. A neighbor was trying to suppress the fire with a garden hose but I called him off because it was too dangerous.”

The first engine to arrive launched an interior attack on the fire and was successful in containing the blaze before 3 p.m.

After a thorough investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.

“The fire started in an addition to the structure outside the garage in the rear of the house and then spread into the attic,” Siligo said.

As for damage, “I put $100,000 in damage on the structure and $50,000 to contents,” Siligo said. “I would say one-third of the house was lost.”

There were no injuries resulting from the blaze, but the homeowner, Barbara Ford, and her three sons were displaced due to major damage to the home.

Calaveras County Red Cross Capt. Clayre Quick responded on Friday with immediate aid.

“The lady had three boys; a little one and two teenagers. Her husband is deceased, so she is raising them on her own.”

Quick’s assessment of the house was that there was major damage to the living room, garage and kitchen.

While the Red Cross does provide three nights of lodging for fire victims, Quick said that Ford and her children were staying with one of her son’s coaches.

Debit cards were disbursed to the Ford family to be used on whatever necessities they need.

As Quick was surveying the remnants of the house, she said, “It was kind of sad, because all she (Ford) did was walk around looking for her wedding album. She did finally find it, and intact, though covered with soot and ash.”

Contact Joel Metzger at jmetzger@calaverasenterprise.com.

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