No smoke detectors in Eagle Rock Way fire

An Eagle Rock Way home sustained at least $1 million in damages after an early-morning blaze Wednesday consumed most of the structure and its contents, according to Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse.

One occupant of the home and one firefighter suffered minor injuries as a result of the fire.

Dispatchers began receiving 911 calls at 1:15 a.m. reporting a large structure fire in the 22000 block of Eagle Rock Way, LaTendresse said. Four engines, one truck company and a chief officer from the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority initially responded.

By the time the first fire unit arrived at 1:20 a.m., the single-family residence was well-involved with fire and adjacent homes on two sides were threatened.

The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, after an additional engine and truck company were requested to assist. Units from the Orange County Fire Authority and the Newport Beach Fire Department covered the empty Laguna Beach Fire Stations while crews remained on scene through the morning hours to fight the fire, LaTendresse said.

LaTendresse said that the two occupants of the home were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke, as there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

“This is the third residential fire in Laguna Beach in the last month, and none of the homes were equipped with operating smoke detectors,” LaTendresse said. “Smoke detectors would have provided for earlier notification to the occupants and fire department, which may have resulted is less damage and injuries.”

The cause of fire appears to be accidental but is under investigation, he added.