Woman Loses Everything in Apartment Fire

Windsor CA - An elderly Windsor woman lost everything, including her pet dog, when a fire consumed her apartment in a seniors complex in Windsor.

Windsor Fire Protection District was dispatched to the reported fire at 8790 Bell Road at 8:08 pm Monday night. Flames were shooting from the front of the apartment when they arrived.
The 770 sf apartment and its contents, one unit of a ten-plex in the 88-unit complex, were a total loss.

"We were very lucky," said Windsor Fire Battalion Chief Matt Gustafson. "These units have no fire sprinkler system and they have a common attic. If the fire had spread into the attic, this would have been an even greater tragedy."

"This was a great save," added Fire Chief Ron Collier. "Almost every volunteer in the department responded, and Rincon Valley Fire was available and responded. We had enough resources that we were able to knock it down quickly and limit it to the one unit."

There was minor damage to two adjoining apartments.

The apartment's resident, Joann Dorn, had safely escaped the apartment but went back inside, trying to save her pet. An unidentified neighbor rescued her from the fire, but they were unable to reach the dog. Ms. Dorn suffered smoke inhalation and burns to her hands and feet, and was transported to the hospital.

The cause of the fire, which appears to be accidental, has not yet been determined. Loss is estimated at $60,000.

For more information contact: 
Battalion Chief Matt Gustafson
Office: 707/838-1170
FAX: 707/838-1173
E-mail: mgustafston@windsorfpd.com

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