Investigators have yet to determine the cause of a destructive early morning fire in North Laguna that potentially threatened neighboring structures on Monday, Dec. 2, firefighters said. No one was injured by the blaze, which caused an estimated $400,000 in damages.
Twenty‐one firefighters from Laguna Beach and Newport Beach were dispatched to the 1600 block of Louise Street where they found a home fully engulfed in flame with the potential to spread to adjacent houses, Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said in a statement.
Firefighters contained the fire to a single structure and doused the blaze in under 20 minutes, he said, estimating contents and structure losses at $380,000. Occupants had exited the home before firefighters arrived, he said.
Anyone with information that can assist investigators are urged to call (949) 497‐0700.
Photo: The 7:30 a.m. blaze was visible from South Laguna.
Monday, Nov. 25
Public service request. 1600 block of Arroyo Dr. 7:40 a.m. A fire hydrant was knocked off.
Burglary. 2800 block of Rounsevel Terrace. 2:07 p.m. A set of tanzanite earrings valued at nearly $20,000 were reported stolen from a home while the resident was out of the area.
Burglary. 1400 block of N. Coast Hwy. 3:36 p.m. A legal file and a $20 money order was taken from a locked car.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Burglary. 200 block of N. Coast Hwy. 1:53 p.m. A guest who checked out also took the content’s of the room – “everything that wasn’t bolted down” — including a television, ice bucket, comforter, pillow, coffee maker, robes, a hair dryer and towels with an estimated value of $1,412.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Traffic stop. Wesley Drive. 2 a.m. A 40-year-old Whittier resident was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Pedestrian stop. 500 block of Forest Ave. 4:57 a.m. A 39-year-old Aliso Viejo woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic collision. Emerald Bay. 1:30 p.m. A passenger in a vehicle complained of pain following the collision of two vehicles near the entrance, which blocked a northbound lane briefly.
Public intoxication. 1000 block of N. Coast Hwy. 4:35 p.m. Daniel Paul Schneider, 48, of Laguna Beach, was placed under a citizen’s arrest for suspicion of battery after allegedly punching the manager of a hotel.
Petty theft. 1000 block of Catalina St. 4:47 p.m. Someone stole a mannequin from the front of a residence.
Traffic stop. Legion St. 10:17 p.m. A 35-year-old Long Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Medical aid. El Toro Rd. 11:57 a.m. A woman hiker fell and injured her hip and required medical aid on the Stagecoach Trail.
Friday, Nov. 29
Muni code violation.. 400 block of Glenneyre St. 1:37 p.m. A 48-year-old San Clemente resident was arrested for two outstanding warrants and held for $2500 bail.
Warrant service. 300 block of Broadway St. A 27-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for two outstanding warrants.
Disturbance. 300 block of Broadway St. 4:10 p.m. Matthew Paul Benusa, 27, of Laguna Beach, was held without bail for two outstanding warrants.
Traffic stop. 13-04128. Broadway St. 9:19 p.m. A 25-year-old Whittier woman was held for an outstanding warrant.
Foot patrol. 3200 block of Alta Laguna Blvd. 11:50 p.m. Police detained two 17-year-olds from Westminster; one had a no bail warrant and was transported to juvenile hall, while the other was driven home to his parents.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Traffic stop. 2200 block of S. Coast hwy. 1:47 a.m. A 48-year-old Placentia man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Traffic stop. Cress St. 1:43 a.m. A 50-year-old Laguna Beach man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Pearl St. 2:25 a.m. A 23-year-old visitor from Maysville, Ky., was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic stop. West St. 2:37 p.m. A 24-year-old Anaheim man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Petty theft. 500 block of Anita St. 2:48 p.m. Someone broke into a locked vehicle and swiped sunglasses and a wallet.
