Fire causes $500,000 in damage to home

A Newport Beach home was heavily damaged Monday morning when an attic fire engulfed the home and caused the roof to collapse, authorities said.

More than 30 firefighters rushed to a home in the 2900 block of Paper Lane, where flames were bursting through the roof and attic about 12:30 a.m., officials said. After first going in to try and extinguish the blaze, firefighters evacuated just before the roof collapsed, said department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz.

Initially, the family who lived in the home said one of their family members was missing and was inside. He was later found outside, safe, officials said.

The fire caused about $500,000 in damage, she said. Authorities believe the fire started in the attic near the fireplace, but are still investigating the cause. Officials said the incident is a good reminder for families to have set evacuation plans for a house fire.

On Christmas Day, firefighters were called to Balboa Island for a house fire. In that case, investigators concluded that the blaze was likely caused by burning embers getting through the chimney’s spark arrester and igniting the wood shake roof.

The family had been burning wrapping paper in the fire place before the blaze, officials said. The fire was contained to a 2-by-4-foot area and caused $5,000 damage.

Firefighters remind people to make sure their spark arresters are in good condition and not to burn improper items like gift wrap in their fireplaces.