One of the worst fires in the history of Sunset Beach last Thursday, May 12, may have caused as much as $10 million worth of damages to four beachfront homes and their contents in the 16500 block of South Pacific Avenue in the unincorporated community.
Three of the homes have been deemed uninhabitable. One was completely gutted.
The fire began in one multi-story home that collapsed about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Authorities temporarily closed Pacific Coast Highway between 22nd and 19th streets. According to initial reports from the Orange County Fire Authority, the fire is thought to have ignited when a charcoal barbecue grill fell over and the ocean breeze whipped up the flames that spread rapidly.
Firefighters had to stay on scene throughout the evening as some spots continued to flare up, hours after the initial flames were doused.
Orange County Fire Authority ultimately registered it as a five alarm fire, with abut 100 firefighters brought in to battle the blaze.
Renters in one of the buildings said they lost everything they had and had no renters insurance to replace their possessions. The affected renters included Sunset Beach residents Sean Whisner, Sally Nobbs, Hadrian Suciu and two sons, Dylan, 11 and Christian, 9 and Mark Acheson.
The seaside community poured out its heart on Monday evening as a quickly-produced fundraiser was held at the Irish Mist Pub on Pacific Coast Highway.
According to residents, Las Damas service club member Kathy Hammond and Niall Coyle, owner of the Irish Mist created the fundraiser. How much was raised was not yet determined at press time but Las Damas will distribute the funds.
The fundraiser event was packed with Sunset Beach residents who paid a donation at the door and also purchased auction items inside the establishment such as artwork from the nearby Bill Anderson Gallery and other collectibles.
More donations for the displaced Sunset Beach renters may be sent through Las Damas at Post Office Box 1156 Sunset Beach, 90742: Make checks out to “The Fire Benefit Fund.”
The disastrous fire occurred in the wake of the County of Orange’s decision last year to close down the Sunset Beach Volunteer Fire Department.
However, at press time, no one was speculating on whether the volunteer firefighters could have made a difference.
