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Home My WebLink About790 Foothill Fire Report_RedactedNFIRS-1 Basic 40060 CA 02 09 2025 Fire Station 2 (FS2) 25-00937 0 FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure Location Type Census tract: Street Address Intersection In Front Of Rear Of Adjacent To Directions US National Grid 790 FOOTHILL # 316 Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Apt./Suite/Room City State Zip Code Cross Street Incident Type 111-Structure Fire Aid Given Or Received 1 Mutual Aid Received 2 Auto. Aid Received 3 Mutual Aid Given 4 Auto. Aid Given 5 Other Aid Given None CALFIRE (40080) Their FDID Their State Their Incident Number Dates and Times Alarm 02 09 2025 20:14 Arrival 02 09 2025 20:17 Controlled 02 09 2025 20:32 Last Unit Cleared 02 10 2025 00:09 Shifts and Alarms B 1 FZ2 Shift or Platoon Alarms District Special Studies 9244 3 - No, COVID 19 was not a factor ID#Value A B C D E1 E2 E3 Page 1 of 15 Actions Taken 10-Fire control or extinguishment, other Primary Action Taken Resources Apparatus or Personnel Module is used. Apparatus Personnel Suppression 6 15 EMS 0 0 Other 0 0 Resource counts include aid received resources. Estimated Dollar Losses and Values Losses:Required for all fires if known. Optional for all non-fires. None Property:$ 50,000.00 Contents:$ 5,000.00 Pre-Incident Values: Optional None Property:$ 1,000,000.00 Contents:$ 10,000.00 Completed Modules 2 - Fire 3 - Structure Fire 4 - Civilian Fire Cas. 5 - Fire Service Cas. 6 - EMS 7 - HazMat 8 - Wildland Fire 9 - Apparatus 10 - Personnel 11 - Arson Casualties None Deaths Injuries Fire Service 0 0 Civilian 0 0 Detector Required for Confined Fires 1 - Detector Alerted Occupants 2 - Detector Did Not Alert Them 3 - Unknown Hazardous Materials Release 1 - Natural Gas 2 - Propane Gas 3 - Gasoline 4 - Kerosene 5 - Diesel Fuel / Fuel Oil 6 - Household Solvents 7 - Motor Oil 8 - Paint 0 - Other None Mixed Use Property Not Mixed 10 - Assembly Use 20 - Education Use 33 - Medical Use 40 - Residential Use 51 - Row Of Stores 53 - Enclosed Mall 58 - Business and Residential 59 - Office Use 60 - Industrial Use 63 - Military Use 65 - Farm Use 00 - Other Mixed Use Property Use None Structures 131 Church, Place of Worship 161 Restaurant or Cafeteria 162 Bar/Tavern or Nightclub 213 Elementary School, Kindegarten 215 High School, Junior High 241 College, Adult Education 311 Nursing Home 331 Hospital 341 Clinic, Clinic-Type Infirmary 342 Doctor/Dentist Office 361 Prison or Jail, Not Juvenile 419 1- or 2-Family Dwelling 429 MultiFamily Dwelling 439 Rooming/Boarding House 449 Commerical Hotel or Motel 459 Residential, Board and Care 464 Dormitory/Barracks 519 Food and Beverage Sales 539 Household Goods, Sales, Repairs 571 Gas or Service Station 579 Motor Vehicle/Boat Sales/Repairs 599 Business Office 615 Electric-Generating Plant 629 Laboratory/Science Laboratory 700 Manufacturing Plant 819 Livestock/Poultry Storage (Barn) 882 Non-Residential Parking Garage 891 Warehouse Outside 124 Playground or Park 655 Crops or Orchard 669 Forest (Timberland) 807 Outdoor Storage Area 919 Dump or Sanitary Landfill 931 Open Land or Field 936 Vacant Lot 938 Graded/Cared for Plot of Land 946 Lake, River, Stream 951 Railroad Right-of-Way 960 Other Street 961 Highway/Divided Highway 962 Residential Street/Driveway 981 Construction Site 984 Industrial Plant Yard Property Use: Description Look up and enter a Property Use code and description only if you have NOT checked a Property Use box. Person/Entity Involved Occupant Local Option Person/Entity Type Business Name (if applicable)Phone Number - Mr., Ms., Mrs.First Name MI Last Name Suffix 790 E-East Foothill BLVD-Boulevard Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix San Luis Obispo Post Office Box Apt./Suite/Room City 93401 State Zip Code F G1 G2 H1 H2 H3 I J K1 Page 2 of 15 Owner Local Option Person/Entity Type Business Name (if applicable)Phone Number Mr., Ms., Mrs.First Name MI Last Name Suffix Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix Post Office Box Apt./Suite/Room City State Zip Code Remarks: Engine 2 arrived on scene and initially established Foothill IC, crew made access to 3rd floor room 316. No smoke or flame visible from exterior of room, no audible fire alarm, strobe lights, or ringing alarms. Occupant was met outside room 316 she stated she smelled smoke, all residents are out of her building. Upon initial investigation Engine 2 noticed light smoke from dryer with heat noted to wall, approximately 150 degrees on thermal camera. Dryer was removed and noted damage to electrical outlet. Drywall was accessed and fire was scene on structural member moving upwards to the ceiling. Extinguishment made initially with water can, and noted heavy smoke began to fill entire room, and fire was potentially extending into wall, or ceiling space. Engine 2 established Division 3 and requested additional Engine and Truck company to assist with pulling ceiling and checking for extension. Engine 4 crew was initial contact and requested to move to 4th floor to check for extension. Truck 1 crew initially remained with Division 3 to open ceiling and check for extension, and establish water supply from standpipe connection with 1/34 hoseline. Division 3 received Engine 21, and Engine 3 crew to assist with overhaul of apartment 316, and check for extension into apartment 315. Apartment 315 was assessed and smoke evacuation completed, and no fire extension into apartment 315. Resident was advised to remain out of his building. Full knockdown was achieved, and overhaul was a... Full primary narrative can be found in NFIRS 1S - Supplemental Authorization 66265 Nason, William Fire Fighter 02/12/2025 Officer In Charge ID Signature Position or Rank Assignment Date 66265 Nason, William Fire Fighter 02/12/2025 Member Making Report ID Signature Position or Rank Assignment Date K2 L M Page 3 of 15 NFIRS-2 Fire 40060 CA 02 09 2025 Fire Station 2 (FS2) 25-00937 0 FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure Property Details B1 1 Not Residential Estimated number of residential living units in the building of origin whether or not all units became involved B2 1 Buildings Not Involved Number of buildings involved B3 None Less than 1 acre Acres burned (outside fires) On-Site Materials Or Products On-Site Materials Storage Use Ignition D1 26-Laundry area, wash house (laundry) Area of Fire Origin D2 13-Electrical arcing Heat Source D3 17-Structural member or framing Item First Ignited D4 50-Natural product, other Type of Material First Ignited Cause of Ignition 1 - Intentional 2 - Unintentional 3 - Failure of Equipment or Heat Source 4 - Act of Nature 5 - Cause Under Investigation U - Cause Undetermined After Investigation Factors Contributing to Ignition 30-Electrical failure, malfunction, other Factor Contributing to Ignition Human Factors Contributing to Ignition Check all applicable boxes None 1 - Asleep 2 - Possibly impaired by alcohol or drugs 3 - Unattended person 4 - Possibly Mentally Disabled 5 - Physically Disabled 6 - Multiple Persons Involved 7 - Age Was A Factor Estimated Age of Person Involved Male Female Equipment Involved In Ignition 210-Electrical wiring, other Equipment Involved Brand Model Serial # Year Equipment Power Source 11-Electrical line voltage (>= 50 volts) Equipment Power Source Equipment Portability 1 - Portable 2 - Stationary Portable equipment normally can be moved by one or two persons. Fire Suppression Factors 125-Holes or openings in walls or ceilings Fire Suppression Factor A B C D E1 E2 E3 F1 F2 F3 G Page 4 of 15 Mobile Property Involved 1 - Not involved in ignition, but burned 2 - Involved in ignition, but did not burn 3 - Involved in ignition and burned None Mobile Property Type and Make Mobile Property Type Mobile Property Make Local Use Pre-Fire Plan Available Arson Report Attached Police Report Attached Coroner Report Attached Other Reports Attached Mobile Property Model Year State License Plate Number VIN _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ H1 H2 Page 5 of 15 NFIRS-3 Structure Fire Structure Type 1 - Enclosed Building 2 - Portable/Mobile Structure 3 - Open Structure 4 - Air-Supported Structure 5 - Tent 6 - Open Platform 7 - Underground Structure 8 - Connective Structure 0 - Other Building Status 1 - Under Construction 2 - In Normal Use 3 - Idle, Not Routinely Used 4 - Under Major Renovation 5 - Vacant and Secured 6 - Vacant and Unsecured 7 - Being Demolished 0 - Other U - Undetermined Building Height 3 Number of Stories At/Above Grade 1 Number of Stories Below Grade Main Floor Size 785 Total Square Feet OR BY Length (ft) X Width (ft) Fire Origin 3 Below Grade Story of Fire Origin Fire Spread Confined to Object of Origin 2 - Confined to Room of Origin 3 - Confined to Floor of Origin 4 - Confined to Building of Origin 5 - Beyond Building of Origin Number of Stories Damaged By Flame 1 Number of Stories w/Minor Damage (1-24%) Number of Stories w/Significant Damage (25-49%) Number of Stories w/Heavy Damage (50-74%) Number of Stories w/Extreme Damage (75-100%) *Count the roof as part of the highest story Type of Material Contributing Most to Flame Spread K1 17-Structural member or framing Item Contributing Most to Flame Spread K2 63-Sawn wood, including all finished lumber Type of Material Contributing Most To Flame Spread Presence of Detectors N - None Present 1 - Present U - Undetermined Detector Type 1 - Smoke 2 - Heat 3 - Combination of Smoke and Heat 4 - Sprinkler, Water Flow Detection 5 - More Than One Type Present 0 - Other U - Undetermined Detector Power Supply 1 - Battery Only 2 - Hardwire Only 3 - Plug-In 4 - Hardwire With Battery 5 - Plug-In With Battery 6 - Mechanical 7 - Multiple Detectors & Power Supplies 0 - Other U - Undetermined Detector Operation 1 - Fire Too Small To Activate 2 - Operated 3 - Failed To Operate U - Undetermined Detector Effectiveness 1 - Alerted Occupants, Occupants Responded 2 - Alerted Occupants, Occupants Failed to Respond 3 - There Were No Occupants 4 - Failed to Alert Occupants U - Undetermined Detector Failure Reason 1 - Power Failure, Shutoff, or Disconnect 2 - Improper Installation or Placement 3 - Defective 4 - Lack of Maintenance, Dirty 5 - Battery Missing or Disconnected 6 - Battery Discharged or Dead 0 - Other U - Undetermined I1 I2 I3 I4 J1 J2 J3 K L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 Page 6 of 15 Presence of Automatic Extinguishing System N - None Present 1 - Present 2 - Partial System Present U - Undetermined Type of Automatic Extinguishing System 1 - Wet-Pipe Sprinkler 2 - Dry-Pipe Sprinkler 3 - Other Sprinkler System 4 - Dry Chemical System 5 - Foam System 6 - Halogen-Type System 7 - Carbon Dioxide System 0 - Other U - Undetermined Required if fire was within designed range of AES Operation of Automatic Extinguishing System 1 - Operated/Effective 2 - Operated/Not Effective 3 - Fire Too Small To Activate 4 - Failed To Operate 0 - Other U - Undetermined Required if fire was within designed range Number of Sprinkler Heads Operating Required if system operated Reason for Automatic Extinguishing System Failure 1 - System Shut Off 2 - Not Enough Agent Discharged 3 - Agent Discharged But Did Not Reach Fire 4 - Wrong Type of System 5 - Fire Not In Area Protected 6 - System Components Damaged 7 - Lack of Maintenance 8 - Manual Intervention 0 - Other U - Undetermined Required if system failed or not effective M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 Page 7 of 15 NFIRS-9 Apparatus or Resources 40060 CA 02 09 2025 Fire Station 2 (FS2) 25-00937 0 FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure B Apparatus/Resource Dates/Times Sent Number of People Apparatus Use Actions Taken ID:BC2 Type:92-Chief officer car Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:20 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 1 Suppression EMS Other 81-Incident command ID:E2 Type:11-Engine Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:17 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 10-Fire control or extinguishment, other ID:E3 Type:11-Engine Dispatch: Arrival:02/09/2025 20:52 Clear: Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul ID:E4 Type:11-Engine Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:20 Clear: Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul ID:PRV20 Type: 00-Other apparatus/resource Dispatch: Arrival:02/10/2025 00:09 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 1 Suppression EMS Other 87-Investigate fire out on arrival ID:T1 Type:12-Truck or aerial Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:22 Clear: Sent 4 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul A Page 8 of 15 NFIRS-10 Personnel 40060 CA 02 09 2025 Fire Station 2 (FS2) 25-00937 0 FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure B Apparatus/Resource Dates/Times Sent Number of People Apparatus Use Actions Taken ID:BC2 Type:92-Chief officer car Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:20 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 1 Suppression EMS Other 81-Incident command Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken 62800 MacDonald, John Battalion Chief ID:E2 Type:11-Engine Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:17 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 10-Fire control or extinguishment, other Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken 100076 McClanahan, Maren Firefighter 74579 Robertson, Travis Engineer 66265 Nason, William Captain ID:E3 Type:11-Engine Dispatch: Arrival:02/09/2025 20:52 Clear: Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken 70995 Pratt, Jason Captain 46543 Hicks, Judson Firefighter 36520 Gatton, Christopher Engineer ID:E4 Type:11-Engine Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:20 Clear: Sent 3 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken 99188 Thoele, Brendan Engineer 46955 Hoover, Nicholas Captain 52001 Joy, Cullen Firefighter ID:PRV20 Type: 00-Other apparatus/resource Dispatch: Arrival:02/10/2025 00:09 Clear:02/10/2025 00:09 Sent 1 Suppression EMS Other 87-Investigate fire out on arrival Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken A Page 9 of 15 109053 Daniel, Josh 5588016-Investigator ID:T1 Type:12-Truck or aerial Dispatch:02/09/2025 20:14 Arrival:02/09/2025 20:22 Clear: Sent 4 Suppression EMS Other 12-Salvage & overhaul Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken 100068 Barkhimer, Jake Engineer 50826 Johnston, Kenneth Firefighter 70100 Polkow, Matthew Engineer 60045 Lokkart, Eric Captain Page 10 of 15 NFIRS-1S Supplemental 40060 CA 02 09 2025 Fire Station 2 (FS2) 25-00937 0 FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure Primary Narrative: Engine 2 arrived on scene and initially established Foothill IC, crew made access to 3rd floor room No smoke or flame visible from exterior of room, no audible fire alarm, strobe lights, or ringing alarms. Occupant was met outside room she stated she smelled smoke, all residents are out of her building. Upon initial investigation Engine 2 noticed light smoke from dryer with heat noted to wall, approximately 150 degrees on thermal camera. Dryer was removed and noted damage to electrical outlet. Drywall was accessed and fire was scene on structural member moving upwards to the ceiling. Extinguishment made initially with water can, and noted heavy smoke began to fill entire room, and fire was potentially extending into wall, or ceiling space. Engine 2 established Division 3 and requested additional Engine and Truck company to assist with pulling ceiling and checking for extension. Engine 4 crew was initial contact and requested to move to 4th floor to check for extension. Truck 1 crew initially remained with Division 3 to open ceiling and check for extension, and establish water supply from standpipe connection with 1/34 hoseline. Division 3 received Engine 21, and Engine 3 crew to assist with overhaul of apartment and check for extension into apartment Apartment was assessed and smoke evacuation completed, and no fire extension into apartment Resident was advised to remain out of his building. Full knockdown was achieved, and overhaul was accomplished. Residents were escorted into room to collect belonging for the evening. One resident noted she, "smelled smoke 1 day ago and reported it to building maintenance." Prevention 20 arrived on scene to conduct investigation and determine cause, origin, and estimated property loss. Prevention 20 completed investigation, and cleared scene. Engine 2 assisted building maintenance with replacing front door to residence. Engine 2 noted belongings in both bedrooms, and bedroom doors were locked and secured by building maintenance. Front door was locked and secured. Room was turned over to building maintenance and Engine 2 cleared call. Person/Entity Involved Occupant Local Option Person/Entity Type Business Name (if applicable)Phone Number Mr., Ms., Mrs.First Name MI Last Name Suffix 790 Foothill Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix San Luis Obispo Post Office Box Apt./Suite/Room City 93401 State Zip Code Additional Narrative (#1 of 3 ): Engine 3 was assigned to Div 3 upon our arrival by the IC. E3's crew brought lighting, extra SCBA bottles and a circular saw to the 3rd floor as requested. Div 3 instructed E3 to remove the door to room and check for fire extension in the wall. Upon completion E3 was assigned to get a trash can for some of the debris. E3 was then made available at scene. A Page 11 of 1 Additional Narrative (#2 of 3 ): BC 2 took over Foothill command after E2 arrived at the scene and provided an on-scene and condition report with a partial 360. Per E2, the assignment was reduced to E2, E4, T1. E2 was made Division 3 and had E4 and T1 working for Division 3. E2 then requested more assistance and Foothill IC requested the initial first alarm respond back with an additional two engines from Cal Fire. Due to possible fire extentionsion, E4 was assigned Division 4, Truck 1 was assigned Roof Division, and E2 stayed as Division 3. All Division were assigned to check for fire extension and evacuation of the apartments involved. Due to extension of the fire being found by Division 3 a working incident was requested. Division 3 had E3 and E21 working for him. Division 4 had E3471 working for him. BC 3411 was assigned safety. E40 was requested to cover the city. Medic 61 arrived and was assigned to stand by at the command post. All units on the fire worked to check for an extension of the fire and found that the fire did extend into the walls of Division 3 with smoke moving into Division 4. Water damage was found in Division 2. Breathing support 62 and engine 62 were requested and arrived at the scene to provide rehab. A fire investigator was requested and arrived later to conduct the investigation. The units involved were . Property management arrived at the scene and found other apartments or hotels for the occupants of the involved units. The property manager was . The fire was contained to the area of origin, over hall was completed and units were released by Foothill IC. E2 stayed at the scene while the fire investigation was conducted. Once complete, the property was turned over to property management and secured. Foothill IC was terminated. See the investigation report for the cause and origin of the fire. Additional Narrative (#3 of 3 ): SLO FD FIRE ORIGIN & CAUSE INVESTIGATION REPORT DATE: 02/09/25, 2013 Hours LOCATION: 790 E. Foothill Blvd Apt. 316, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 PROPERTY TYPE: Residence CLASSIFICATION: Accidental INCIDENT #: SLO-FD 25-00937 VICTIMS: REPORTING OFFICER: FIRE MARSHAL, DANIEL, JOSHUA, Prevention 20 INVESTIGATION My actions and findings resulted from a scientific investigation of the fire's origin and cause. Methodology The methodology I utilized during this investigation consisted of identifying all available data for origin determination, including witness accounts, an initial scene assessment, development of a preliminary fire spread hypothesis, an in-depth examination of the fire scene, reconstruction of the fire scene, development of a final fire spread hypothesis, and identification of the fire’s origin. I identified all available data for cause determination, including ignition sources, fuel packages, oxidizers, and circumstances. I used all available resources to develop fire-cause hypotheses and determine which hypotheses fit all the credible data available to determine the cause of this fire. During my investigation, I obtained witness statements. I conducted the interviews in full uniform or over the phone. The following summarizes my collected statements and the physical evidence noted. SOURCE OF ACTIVITY On 02/09/25, at approximately 2013, San Luis Obispo County Dispatch received a 911 emergency call reporting a structure fire at 790 E. Foothill Blvd Apt San Luis Obispo, CA. in the County of San Luis Obispo. First, arriving unit E2 reported no smoke or flame visible from the room's exterior; no audible alarms were heard or seen. Upon investigation by the crew, they found light smoke from the dryer and washer closet. The E2 Crew removed the washer/dryer stacked unit from the closet and noticed a 220V plug and cord with heat damage. Further investigation with the thermal imaging camera (TIC) showed heat directly behind the wall of the washer/dryer unit. The drywall was removed to investigate a possible wall fire (checking for extension). When the fire was discovered by the fire suppression crews by removal of the drywall, the fire ignited, filling the entire apartment with smoke about 3 feet from the ceiling. After the fire was discovered in the void space in the walls, the fire was extinguished by fire personnel. Inspection holes were made in the living room, and drywall was pulled from the kitchen walls and ceiling. The front door swinging toward the laundry room (hinges on the right side) hindered the crews from suppression activities. The door was removed due to fire suppression crews’ access to the laundry room for suppression capabilities and firefighter safety. Fire suppression crews checked for “extension” in the units above Apt. (photos IMG_9221 to IMG_9224) and the adjoining unit, Apt. The TIC ensured no other heat sources were in the walls or ceiling. Water damage was noted in the apartment below and documented in photos IMG_9225 to IMG_9227. Water was dripping from the kitchen light fixture in apartment and every attempt by SLO FD fire crews to mitigate further damage was taken. The fire was called to be under control at approximately 2032. At approximately 2240 hours, while I was home, BC 2 requested that I respond to investigate a structure fire through SLO Dispatch. I responded to code-two from my house, arrived at the fire scene at approximately 2300 hours, and cleared the Page 12 of 1 scene at approximately 0009 hours on February 10th, 2025. OBSERVATIONS/ACTIONS Upon arrival, I checked in with BC2 J. MacDonald, Foothill IC. From the exterior, I could observe that the structure had not been damaged. Foothill IC MACDONALD, John, BC2, assigned me to determine the origin and cause of this incident. When I was requested, the incident suppression and overhaul had been completed. E2 was assigned to me for assistance with tools or manpower. Summary of Statements Address: 790 E. Foothill Blvd Apt. San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 Phone: Email: I spoke to over the phone 2/11/25 at about 1000 hours. Per she was not at the residence at the time of the fire. She was called by her roommate, , after initiating 911. mentioned that on 2/8/25, around 1530 hours, she reported a smell of smoke to management and requested maintenance to check out the issue. This request was verified by Sumit SLO property management . on 2/8/25, she was drying clothes in her apartment-supplied washer/dryer unit when she started smelling smoke. The smell of smoke was first noticed by her roommate, . The roommates stopped and inspected the dryer unit, and the lint trap was cleaned with what was described as “very little lent” from the screen. There was no physical, visible sign of smoke, no signs of burnt lent, and no other evidence of something burning per . She started the dryer again on “air only,” with no heat to finish her clothes and report the issue to property management, according to was never advised to “not use the washer/dryer unit.” She was told a work order was placed, and a maintenance individual would follow up with the issue on Monday, 2/10/25. On 2/09/25, her last wash and drying of her laundry without incident. At the time of the interview, was still displaced and staying with her family in a hotel. She is currently discussing a more permanent solution with property management. Address: 790 E. Foothill Blvd Apt. San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 Phone: I spoke to over the phone 2/11/25 at about 1030 hours stated smelling smoke when her roommate was drying her clothes on 2/08/25 around 1500. They both checked the dryer unit, found a small amount of lent, and removed it. They saw no signs of “something burning” and decided to finish the dryer in “cool mode.” She also verified that they notified property management that day and was told a follow-up from maintenance would happen on Monday, 2/10/25. started her laundry on Sunday, 2/09/25, and while her clothes were in the dryer, she heard a “pop” and walked over to the washer/dryer combo unit to see a flame coming from behind her washer/dryer unit. From when she started the unit dryer mode to when she heard the pop from the couch, it was about 5-10 minutes. She reported the incident by calling 911. She then called her roommate, to report the issue. During the interview, was still displaced and staying with her mother in a hotel. She is currently discussing a more permanent solution with property management. Property management for SLO Summit at 790 E. Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 Phone: I spoke to over the phone 2/11/25 at about 0930 hours. She confirmed that the apartment had no recent maintenance reports, electrical issues, and prior complaints to the one on 2/8/25 confirmed that the tenants in Apt. received the “smell of smoke” complaint on 2/8/25. The complaint was filed regarding a dryer issue and would be followed up by the maintenance staff on Monday, 2/10/25. END OF STATEMENTS Scene Examination This fire scene consists of a three-story residential building called SLO Summit with a lower level for parking. The building has fire sprinklers and fire/smoke alarms with monitoring capabilities. SLO Summit is an R-2 Occupancy with general construction Type V, appropriate fire rating walls, and fire sprinkler suppression systems with monitoring capabilities. Systematic Approach I began my investigation by systematically and methodically walking through the fire scene, from exterior to interior, identifying all available data to determine where and how the fire started. I walked around the exterior clockwise, noting that the exterior of the building had no signs of fire or smoke damage. EXTERIOR There are no signs of fire or smoke damage. INTERIOR I entered the structure through the A-side entrance door. Alarm/Smoke Detector/Protection/Security I observed a smoke detector in the apartment, which appeared to be in good working order. At the time of my examination, the smoke detector was not sounding an alarm, and there was a battery in it. The building had an alarm system in place, and I did not test the system. The building is also equipped with an NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system as Page 13 of 15 well as on-site security personnel. Living Room This room had an average fuel load of common combustible materials for an inhabited structure. The living room had no fire damage, but some residual smoke could be seen on the walls and ceiling. Fire suppression crews made multiple inspection holes looking for “extension.” Kitchen I observed this room, which was approximately 10 feet L x 10 feet W x 9 feet H. It appeared to have an average fuel load of common combustible materials for an inhabited structure. The ceiling drywall had been pulled by fire suppression crews checking for the extension of fire, as had some drywall that would have been located behind the refrigerator. The kitchen had signs of smoke damage in the ceiling support members. Indicating a free burn in the wall space traveling into the voids between the ceiling and the floor of the above unit. Hall Some residual smoke can be seen on the walls and ceiling. Bath It appeared to have an average fuel load of common combustible materials for an inhabited structure. The bathroom had no fire patterns, and I could not see if there was any smoke residue. Bedrooms I could not see the condition of the two bedrooms because they were locked when I took the photos. Area of Origin (AOO) After careful consideration, all credible data has been accounted for, and all credible alternate-origin hypotheses have been considered and eliminated. I believe the area of origin was the laundry room/closet. AOO Fire patterns like “Char Blisters” can be seen in photos IMG_9188 to IMG_9220, in which the 220V outlet started the fire in the wall behind the dryer plug. The 2X6 wall framing that held the 220V receptacle shows significant charring from where the 220V receptacle was placed see photo IMG_9212. Photos IMG_9165 to IMG_9171 show that the outlet's dryer plug melted when fire crews removed the washer/dryer unit from the AOO to suppress the fire. According to the fire suppression crews, there were no exterior signs of fire to the drywall near the receptacle before drywall removal. All fire damage was contained to the wall's interior behind the washer/dryer unit. When the fire suppression crews removed the washer/dryer unit, the entire cover plate came off with the dryer plug. With the significant signs of fire damage in the wall, it is possible that this fire was burning behind the walls for more than 24 hours. Thus, there was a report of smoke on 2/08/25. This also supports the witness statements from the fire suppression crews that the fire reignited when the drywall was removed and began to free-burn. The fire was vent-limited, and they introduced oxygen to it. This AOO Competent Ignition Sources All AOO Competent Ignition sources were electrical. No other competent ignition sources existed in the AOO. The photos IMG_9212 and IMG_9213 show the intact 120V junction box with signs of melting from the top down. The 220V junction box was placed just above the 120V box and attached to the same 2x6. The 220V junction box was never recovered and is presumed to be wholly melted/destroyed. This would indicate the ignition source coming from the 220V box, not the 120V. FIRE CAUSE 1. IGNITION SOURCE: Electrical 2. MATERIAL FIRST IGNITED: Building materials placed inside the wall. 3. OXIDANT: Oxygen from surrounding air 4. EVENT WHICH BROUGHT IGNITION SOURCE AND MATERIAL FIRST IGNITED TOGETHER: The ignition sequence of a fire event is defined as the succession of events and conditions that allow the source of ignition, the fuel, and other oxidants to interact in the appropriate quantities and circumstance for combustion to begin, NFPA 921:19.4.4.1. Failed electrical components on the 220V electrical line was the source of ignition, the fuel was the building materials like the 220V plastic junction box or electrical box, dried 2x6 wall stud, the electrical plastic wire covering the 120V and the 220V, as well as the plastic PVC drainpipe running parallel to the 2x6 wall stud. These combustible materials ignited in the wall and traveled to the base of the top plate. The top plate is made of the same combustible dried 2X6 wall material, which assisted in continual free burning until the fire became vent-limited. PHOTOS #98 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN AND UPLOADED TO THE ELECTRONIC CASE FOLDER CONCLUSION Further research, such as an electrical engineer's “Failure Analysis,” would be necessary to determine where in the 220V electrical line the fire was caused. Based on the physical evidence found in the AOO, no other competent ignition source outside of electrical could have started the fire. The fire spread movement patterns found on the wall studs show movement from the 220V electrical box and rolling around to the other side of the wall stud, igniting the PVC combustible drain for the upstairs apartment. The heat intensity patterns shown on the wall studs show that the PVC burned intensely next to the wall stud and the base of the top plate in the same well (interstitial space) as the drains penetrating to the 3rd floor (photo IMG_9210). The concealed and interstitial space in the wall “can create increased rates of fire spread and prolonged fire duration” NFPA 921: 7.2.2.5. The unprotected combustible surfaces within the interstitial space created a compartmentation effect, allowing prolonged free burying within the walls of the apartment. The laundry closet was sprinklered. However, the heat from this fire traveled through the free interstitial space in the wall and is concealed within the floor/ceiling interstitial space. Thus never triggering the fire sprinkler systems. Concealed spaces provide a hidden path for fire to grow or spread without being identified early in the event. The time fire moves out of the concealed space, it often has already spread extensively throughout the structure. Fires in concealed spaces are difficult to extinguish. CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAUSE ACCIDENTAL: The proven cause does not involve an intentional human act (2017 NFPA 921 20.1.1) My opinion of the origin and cause of this fire is based on the following: 1. My more than (10) years of professional service in the firefighting industry. 2. My more than (8) years of professional full-time fire investigations. 3. I have personally conducted and/or assisted in over (250) fire events. Page 14 of 15 4. I have over (300) hours of fire investigation and related law enforcement training. Page 15 of 15