Orcutt family displaced after house fire destroys home

Santa Barbara County firefighters, along with Santa Maria fire crews, were called out to an attic fire in the 100 block of Deer Run Lane, a residential area in Orcutt, Thursday morning.

This was a Second Alarm fire, meaning multiple agencies were called to assist with the blaze.

“I would love to thank all the fireman, the police and ambulance that have been here and especially all my neighbors that have been wonderful wonderful people helping, thank you,” house fire victim Beverly Cochiolo said.

Beverly Cochiolo and her husband Tony lived in this home for more than 35 years.

“We’re doing fine, we’re tough,” Beverly said.

They watched in shock as their home burned but were touched to see their neighbors – one by one – marching back and forth from their burning home to a nearby house to store their prized possessions.

“I want to thank everybody for all the support, the first responders and we’ll pick it up and go from there,” house fire victim Tony Cochiolo said.

At least one ambulance has also been dispatched to the scene of the fire, which began just before 11 a.m. at a single-family, 4,000-square-foot home.

All residents were evacuated safely as flames engulfed the home’s attic. Firefighters mounted an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to knock it down 45-50 minutes after the blaze started.

Emergency crews helped the homeowner, who was home at the time of the fire, salvage personal belongings damaged by water, fire and smoke. The other resident was not home at the time of the fire.

“I love life, I love people, I love God and this is just one of the things God throws on you and you put it on your shoulders and you move on,” Tony said.

Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was discarded fireplace ash to a trash can just outside the house.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the owners of the home, who have been displaced for some time.