Officials continue to investigate fatal Port Hueneme fire

Feb. 28--Authorities on Monday continued to investigate a building fire that killed a father and his young son last week.

Mario Rangel, 24, and his 5-year-old son Diego died Friday when a fire burned through their family's Port Hueneme apartment.

The fire was reported at 4:09 a.m. Firefighters said flames had engulfed the second-floor home and smoke billowing from windows when they arrived.

"The cause of the fire is still under investigation," said Marisol Rodriguez, a spokeswoman with the Ventura County Fire Department.

She said it was unknown when the department would have new information to release.

All eight units in the building have been red-tagged as uninhabitable, and it's unclear when families will be allowed to return to their homes.

On Monday, the city's building inspector met with the building's owner and an insurance adjuster, said Carmen Nichols, deputy city manager in Port Hueneme. She identified the owner as Patrick Comerford.

"He has been very responsive," she said.

Four of the apartments were damaged by flames, smoke or water and may take several weeks to repair, Nichols said Monday.

The other apartments, however, had minimal damage from the fire itself and could be deemed safe much sooner.

Before the units can be cleared, city officials are requiring a professional inspection of gas and utility lines, as well as a report from a structural engineer, to determine the safety of the apartments.

On Friday, the city's building inspector also said there were no smoke detectors in apartments, which are required, Nichols said.

The work could be completed as early as the end of the week, she said, but the timing depends on what the inspections find and whether any additional work is required.

"We want the families to be able to return as quickly as possible," Nichols said.

In the meantime, Nichols said Comerford is working with residents to find families temporary housing.

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