Father, Daughter Die In Early Morning San Francisco House Fire
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Tearful neighbors gathered in front of the charred remains of a San Francisco Mission Terrace home Wednesday afternoon after a fire claimed the lives of a father and his college-aged daughter.
San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai told KPIX 5 that the father -- who was pulled from the burning building by firefighters -- died Wednesday afternoon of his injuries at a local hospital.
The victims have been identified as 71-year-old Ricardo Ron and 23-year-old Camila Ron. Safai said both died from smoke inhalation.
"It's a huge loss for our community and a huge loss for that family," said Safai. "My heart goes out to any of their relatives. We are really saddened by this."
The 1-alarm blaze first reported at 2:07 a.m. at 66 Delano Avenue. When firefighters arrived on scene, flames were coming out of the front window and door.
"The exits, when we arrived, were closed and we forced entry," said San Francisco Fire Battallion Chief Pablo Siguenca.
Firefighters pulled two people from the home and performed CPR before they were transported. The blaze also claimed the life of the family dog, Lt. Jonathan Baxter said. The fire was under control at about 3:10 a.m.
A neighbor told KPIX 5 reporter Jackie Ward that a father and daughter lived at the home, and that the daughter, who recently started law school, had died at the hospital.
"I just saw flames coming out," said a neighbor who didn't want to appear on camera, but was woken by the noise. "I ran out, started screaming 'Help! Help!' Started spraying my hose on the house."
And then he heard the voice of the young woman inside.
"She was screaming 'Dad!' And i was screaming, 'Camilla come out! Come out through the back door,'" the neighbor said.
The home suffered major damage, but a dollar amount wasn't immediately provided.
Neighbors said the mother of the family recently passed away from cancer.
"They were struggling with that. Then all of a sudden this," said one of the neighbors.
Neighbor Yola Schmitz talked to KPIX 5 as she was pulling family photos out of the charred rubble piled in front of the fire-damaged home.
"Oh, it's so sad," said Schmitz. "My granddaughter went to all her birthdays. They grew up together. "
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