Fire Files

Late night fire causes heavy damage as NBFD rescues resident from second-story smoke-filled room

Crews from the Newport Beach Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 1061 Dover Drive that broke out at 11:56 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, and fought two separate fires over the course of the next seven hours. 

Upon the initial attack a male resident was rescued after two Newport Beach Firefighters climbed a ladder to his second-story apartment and entered the smoke-filled room. Firefighters lifted the victim to the ladder where a third firefighter assisted the victim down to safety. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of NBFD

Paramedics transported the victim to a burn center for treatment. 

The townhome sustained heavy fire damage and the fire spread through the attic area to the adjoining units. Newport Beach fire units along with Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue had an initial knockdown of the fire at 12:55 a.m. The fire continued to smolder in the attic area. The fire was declared out at 1:14 a.m. 

Units on scene continued to look for hot spots to extinguish in the overhaul phase of the incident. The fire scene was left suppressed and overhauled with no sign of active fire at approximately 3:15 a.m.

Then, at approximately 5:17 a.m. units were called back out to the residence to contain a secondary fire that broke out minutes earlier. Crews worked diligently to assure all occupants had exited the building, and then quickly extinguished the fire.

Click on photo for a larger image

Crews remained on scene until approximately 11 a.m. to ensure the fire was out. The fire is currently under investigation.

Police Files

NBPD to staff extra patrols for St. Patrick’s Day

The Newport Beach Police Department is suggesting that if you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, remember to do so responsibly by having a plan to get home safely.

Tomorrow, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), the NBPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“If drinking is part of your plans, plan on designating a sober driver and find a safe way home,” Newport Beach Police Department Lieutenant Damon Psaros said. “Don’t make poor choices and allow yourself to mix alcohol or drugs with driving.”

On St. Patrick’s Day 2019 in California, seven people were killed, and 116 others were injured in crashes caused by driving under the influence.

Not only does driving under the influence put yourself and others on the road at risk, but it also hurts financially; attorneys’ fees, fines, court costs, insurance rate hikes and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.

“It’s simple: don’t drink and drive,” Sergeant Corey Wolik said. “Stay at home or find a sober driver to take you home.”

California’s public health guidance advises to limit mixing with people you don’t live with as much as possible to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Although many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be held virtually this year, it’s important to designate a sober driver or stay at home for the night.

If you ever see a suspected drunk driver on the road, call 911.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.