Disaster

Casa De Vallejo Burns

8/15/08

By Marc Garman

An early morning blaze consumed the upper stories of Vallejo's Casa de Vallejo senior residence.  Shaken and scared residents were evacuated at around 3:30 AM and later transported by city buses, according to Dawn Gordon a witness who gave blankets to seniors, many in tears.

Firefighters responded from Vallejo, Benicia, Vacaville, American Canyon, Fairfield, Cordelia and Crockett.  At least four ladder trucks were spraying water on the blaze as it reduced the upper floors of the building to charcoal. Apparently there were four injuries and no known fatalities.(updated--three fatalities) As of 5 AM there were two residents unaccounted for. More information as we get it regarding this disaster.

Added 9 PM

A few notes on the video: I am 99% sure the firefighter talking about the water pressure at the beginning of the video is Vallejo's Dan Sarna. It was dark and he was busy so neither of us stopped to chat. The lack of water pressure did seem to be hampering the effort. Later in the video you can see the low pressure coming from a hose at the top of a ladder. Apparently the ff's had to use their trucks to pump the water supply.

I would also like to comment on the professionalism of the firefighters there. We all know the tense political situation in Vallejo. While a couple of the ff's resting nodded at me in recognition...nobody brought politics to this disaster.

I have also given a copy of my raw footage to VCAT public access TV. They should have it up there with better resolution shortly.

On the scene video including eyewitness account.