Four adults, eight juveniles displaced by fire in Oxnard apartment

A fire temporarily displaced 12 people from an apartment in Oxnard early Thursday, according to the Oxnard Fire Department.

The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. in the 5300 block of Charles Street.

Crews arrived to find an apartment filled with smoke and a fire originating from an oven. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and contained it to the area of the appliance.

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The fire caused $8,000 to $10,000 in property damage, according to the Oxnard Fire Department.

Three families, consisting of four adults and eight children, were temporarily displaced from the unit as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist with finding temporary accommodations for the displaced residents.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, authorities said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, but an initial investigation determined it to be most likely accidental, according to Battalion Chief Sergio Martinez of the Oxnard Fire Department. 

Martinez said the department was also working with the property manager of the complex to find permanent housing for the displaced residents.

Nonfunctional smoke alarms

Emergency dispatchers were first alerted to the fire by another resident in the apartment complex who saw and smelled smoke coming from the unit, according to Martinez.

Oxnard fire investigators found the apartment unit contained smoke alarms, but they did not function properly, Martinez said. He said the department is working to replace the smoke alarms in the unit and make sure other units in the complex have functional smoke alarms.

Fire-prevention authorities encourage members of the public to test smoke alarm batteries at least once a month to make sure they function properly. Alarms should be installed in every bedroom and connecting hallway, with at least one alarm on each floor of a residence. Officials recommend having a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms. For more information, visit http://vcfd.org/fire-prevention/smoke-alarms.

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Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.