By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
A neighbor and fire investigator comfort a woman who lived
at 1102 Apoepoe Place. The fire destroyed their home and most
of their belongings, including recently purchased back-to-
school supplies and clothes for three children.

Fire destroys
residence in
Pacific Palisades

Three escape the blaze that
burns up most of the contents
in the home

By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

When Dianne Pana went with some of her daughters to Long's Drug Store yesterday afternoon, a red pencil and an assignment book were the only things left to buy for her children's back-to-school needs. By the time she got home, the pencil and notebook were the only supplies her children had left.

While Pana was out shopping, fire broke out in their rented Pacific Palisades home at 1102 Apoepoe Place destroying the house and most of the contents, including the back to school clothes, notebooks, pencils and other supplies for Pana's children.

"We just got school supplies, school uniforms, that's all down the drain," said 12-year-old Jaylyn Pana.

Jaylyn's younger sister Shayanne said she doesn't think she'll be able to go back to school on Aug. 23. "I wouldn't have anything to wear," Shayanne said.

Shannon Pana, 19, said she was at home with her 2-year-old daughter and 14-year-old sister when she heard what sounded like firecrackers.

"I just heard the fireworks and as I walked into the hallway, I saw smoke coming out of the doorbell box," she said.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
A neighbor uses a garden hose to help fight the blaze. Fire fighters
credit neighbors with helping to keep the fire from
spreading to other homes.

Once she realized the house was on fire, she got her daughter and sister out of the house and then called for help.

Keith Baylock was driving home when he saw smoke rising over the Pana's house. Baylock said when he arrived, smoke was only coming out of one window, but within five minutes the whole house was on fire.

"By the time (the fire department) got here, it was fully engulfed," Baylock said. "It's a total loss. There's nothing left in there."

Baylock used hoses in the back of his truck to help wet the house down. Other neighbors brought hoses and fire extinguishers and began fighting the fire before fire trucks arrived at 2:10 p.m., seven minutes after the first call. Fire Capt. Richard Soo credits the neighbors with helping to prevent the fire from spreading to other homes. The fire was brought under control by 2:21 p.m.

There were no injuries reported, but family members were still looking for a pet cat yesterday.

The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical.

Dianne Pana said it appeared most of the damage was in the master bedroom near her home computer. Damage is estimated at $150,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the contents

The Red Cross is helping the family. Dianne Pena said her family planned for now to stay at a home across the street that belonged to her mother, who died recently.