Two Men Killed in Calif. House Fire

Aug. 29--MOUNTAIN RANCH -- A retired San Francisco police dispatcher was one of two people who died in a house fire that was reported shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday on Mountain Meadows Drive.

Neighbors identified the owners of the home as a couple, John and Barbara Grizzel. They said he was a retired San Francisco police officer and that she retired after working in dispatch.

"They are wonderful people," said Terry Guyton, one of several neighbors who called to report the fire.

Authorities reported that two adults, a man and a woman, died in the fire and that two adult males escaped the house and survived.

Neighbors said that Barbara Grizzel was one of the deceased. John Grizzel survived.

"He's been a friend for 13-plus years," Guyton said. "For him to lose what he did, I can't even put myself in that situation. It is a horrible loss."

In addition to the Grizzels, two other relatives had been visiting the house, one of whom also perished in the fire. The Calaveras County Coroner's Office was notifying relatives late Wednesday and had not yet identified the deceased.

Engines were dispatched to the fire at 12:47 a.m., according to a news release by Central Calaveras Fire and Rescue Protection District. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters were the first to arrive on scene at 1:06 a.m. and attempted to search the house but were forced out by heavy fire, according to the news release.

As additional engines arrived, the fire spread to nearby vegetation, which was then extinguished. The fire was finally completely controlled at 10:10 a.m. The house suffered extensive damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Contact reporter Dana M. Nichols at (209) 607-1361 or [email protected]. Visit his blog at www.recordnet.com/calaverasblog.

Copyright 2013 - The Record, Stockton, Calif.