Early Morning Fire Leaves Cypress Family Homeless

A Cypress family of four was left homeless early Friday after fire destroyed part of their two-story house, an attached garage and two cars, causing an estimated $55,000 damage.

Two firefighters were treated at the scene for minor burns, said Joe Kerr, an Orange County Fire Dept. spokesman.

Investigators were still trying to determine what sparked the blaze, which started in the garage, Kerr said. The second story of the house at 11650 Malden St. was destroyed and there was water damage throughout the home, Kerr said.

The fire caused an estimated $1,000 damage to the house next door, but the blaze was quickly contained, officials said.

George Shigmatsu, 45, discovered the fire about 2:30 a.m., when he heard windows “popping,” Kerr said. He said Shigmatsu found flames around the hot water tank in the garage.

According to Kerr, Shigmatsu woke his wife and their daughters, aged 7 and 14, and the family safely fled the house.

Kerr said there were two smoke detectors in the house, but only the downstairs device sounded--as the family rushed out the door.