Fire investigators suspect El Monte blaze started in chimney

The fire did extensive damage to the home's roof, but the structure is salvageable, say fire officials.

Fire officials suspect that the blaze that sent six fire engines to a home in the 9600 block of El Monte Saturday night started in the chimney flue, though an official cause is not likely to be released until today.

Consolidated Fire District No. 2 Battalion Chief Jeff Scott confirmed that the homeowners were inside the building when the fire started, and alerted the fire department after smoke began to fill the house.

Crews were on the scene for nearly two hours — longer than might be expected for a blaze of this type — because firefighters had a difficult time quelling hot spots in the roof area. Scott said the underside of the roof was made of planks of steel sheet metal, and that some old wooden shingles underneath the steel kept catching fire.

“We had a hard time with that, because we couldn’t get water to it from above, and we couldn’t get water to it from below,” Scott said.

No one was injured in the fire. Scott said damage was estimated at $80,000 total, with $75,000 worth of damage to the structure and $5,000 to personal property. The house is not a total loss, but it is not inhabitable.

Battalion Chief Jeff Scott said approximately 22 firefighters were on the scene.

Two firefighters descend back to their engine after using a saw to cut a hole in the home's roof. Crews had to cut through steel plating to get access to the fire.