Cigarettes Blamed for Fire That Destroys Home and Injures 4

A fire official said “careless use of cigarettes” caused a blaze that destroyed a two-story Fullerton home Wednesday morning and injured four occupants.

The fire, which caused an estimated $230,000 in damage to the home at 1648 N. Sunset Lane, broke out at 9:44 a.m. and was extinguished within 45 minutes.

Fullerton spokeswoman Sylvia Mudrick said the four injured occupants were treated for first-degree burns at St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Fullerton and released.

The injured, who were burned while leaving the home, were identified as Sandy Caplinger and her children Natalie, 7 months, Brandi, 9, and a family friend, Brooke Chisholm, 9, who had spent the night at the home.

When the fire occurred, Caplinger’s husband, Trent, was at work and their 12-year-old son, David, was at school.

Cash Caplinger, Trent Caplinger’s brother, was downstairs in the home when the fire broke out. He alerted the others, who were upstairs, Mudrick said.

Although the cause was believed to have involved cigarettes, Mudrick said, it was not determined who was using them.

The family is being housed in a hotel and will be provided with food and clothing, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Elva Carreon.

The rented house was a total loss. Fire investigators estimated the damage at $200,000 for the building and $30,000 for the contents.

One firefighter was treated for minor injuries.