At 7:21 Sunday morning the Kern County Fire Department received report of a home fire in Frazier Park at 3401 Idaho Trail.  Thirty personnel were on site including one L.A. County truck.  An estimated 60% of the home was lost but no injuries or deaths.

There were reports of small explosions in the garage but that is thought to have been caused by compressed air cans; possibly spray paint or insecticide but that is unknown at this point.

The fire department gained control after 30 - 40 minutes; "knocking the fire down" by 8:15 AM.  Cause of the fire is unknown at this point.

Update 10/18 2:30 PM

Neighbor Joy Horner said she was looking out her window when she saw the flames several houses down the "road".  There was an explosion that shook her windows and electrical arcs before the fire department arrived.  Ellen Perone said she heard the boom from accross the valley.

Gary Balbona, Maurice St. Cyr and Michael Suorsa (L - R)

Neighbor Michael Suorsa said he saw sole resident, Blanche Farnum, leave her burning home then go back in.  "I thought to myself; I need to hurry and get my shoes on then thought 'What am I doing?  I gotta get over there.'"  Michael then ran accross the "street" without his shoes, pulled Blanche out and took her to safety; feeling intense heat from the blazing garage 20 feet from the gate he ran through to get to the front door.  The fire, which started in the garage, hadn't yet gotten inside the residence which was filling with smoke.

Thankfully, Blanche is well insured but with the overwhelming nature of her circumstance, was not clear whether she would still have a home.  She will be staying with her sister and brother-in-law Maurice St. Cyr until her home is hopefully rebuilt with insurance funds.

Neighbors Gary and Stacy Balbona were quick to join Michael Suorsa and Maurice St. Cyr to aid Blanche.

Four fire engines and 30 fire personnel battled the blaze.  According to Maurice and the Balbonas, firemen had a great deal of difficulty finding and accessing the nearest hydrant which was located two "streets" and 200 feet away on Dakota Trail.

There will be more on the ensuing discussion later.

Opportunity to help

"I'm homeless and now have nothing" said Blanche Farnum.  "I'm thankful to get out with my life and need to take this one step at a time."  She will need clothing and food in the short-term.  Contact neighbor, Pastor Rich Smith, at victimrelief@hughes.net to get details on how you can help.   

Photo by Michael Suorsa's son

Gary Balbona and Blanche Farnum examine the west side