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Cause of Marina Fire Still Unknown; Caregivers Attempted to Rescue Patients

The Marina Police Department has released the findings of its preliminary investigation into Saturday night's fire at a Marina residential care facility that killed five adults. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, police confirmed that both caregivers were inside the residence at the time of the fire and attempted to assist their patients but were deterred by heavy smoke from the blaze.

Below is the full release from Marina PD:

On November 9, 2011, the Marina Police and Fire Departments met with the families of the five disabled persons who lost their lives during the tragic fatal fire that occurred at the Mount Carmel Adult Care Facility in Marina on November 5, 2011.

The families were provided with some preliminary results of the police investigation as well as a briefing on the events of that night.

The investigation, thus far, has revealed that the initial 911 call did come from a motorist traveling on Highway 1 and numerous 911 calls were received within seconds of one another. The Marina Fire and Police Departments responded and found the facility fully charged with smoke and the front portion of the residence was fully involved in flame. The initial efforts of fire and police personnel were dedicated to rescue efforts. Both caregivers, three Marina police officers and a passerby attempted to reach the victims but were driven back by extreme smoke conditions.

The police investigation has determined both caregivers were inside the residence at the time of the fire. One was awoken by a smoke detector and then woke the second caregiver. One caregiver called 911, notified them the facility was on fire, gave their location, that it was a home care facility and there were six people inside. Both caregivers attempted to rescue the patients but were driven back by the heavy smoke. One entered the residence again and a passerby who entered after convinced him to leave because of the heavy smoke and fire conditions. A witness described both caregivers as frantic and bystanders had to convince them not to reenter the building as they would become victims themselves. Both caregivers were transported to San Jose Valley Medical Center for treatment for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined and the investigation continues.