Praise to Grover Beach Police and Five Cities Fire for Quick Action

GROVER BEACH, Calif. - A Grover Beach police officer is being praised for his alertness and quick action this last weekend.

Local residents can rest easy knowing authorities are present, alert, and quick to respond to any kind of situation, even in the dead of night.

The officer saved a family from a house fire, that they weren't even aware of yet.

On Sunday just after midnight, officer Reyna of Grover Beach Police was on routine patrol when he detected the distinct odor of smoke in the air.

“He smelt something that was similar to something burning, which is at that time of night or early morning is kind of unique, especially when it's not cold and people don’t have their fireplaces going,” says Jeremy Douglas, Grover Beach Police patrol sergeant.

Officer Reyna was able to awaken the two adults in the house and get them safely out while five cities fire authority responded quickly, putting the fire out right away.

“It was a single family residence. Two adults that lived there. No children or no one else that I'm aware of,” says Sgt. Douglas.

The specific cause of this particular fire is still under investigation and undetermined. But officials do have some important safety reminders for the public. 

“In this instance, there wasn't a smoke alarm. So we highly encourage check your smoke detectors, change your batteries out every time you change your clocks. Really be diligent about maintaining orderly cleanliness in your homes. If you're running extension cords only do it for a temporary purpose, not for permanent. If you are having electrical work done, make sure you have it done by a professional,” says Craig Angello, Five Cities Fire Authority battalion chief.

Both departments have acknowledged their strong working relationship with each other, and they pay their compliments to officer Reyna's alertness and quick actions, which spared lives and property.

The power is back on and the residents are back in their home while the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.