Was the San Pedro fire tragedy a case of arson or was it an accident? The Fire department hasn't confirmed the cause tonight, but while they investigate, a family has been shattered by loss. 4 persons – a mother, her two kids and her niece were incinerated in the blaze. Tonight, Courtney Weatherburne has a heart-wrenching interview with Clarita Nunez's mother. Here is her story.
The flames cast a ghastly orange glow over the early morning sky as fire fighters tried to tame the blaze.
San Pedro residents helplessly stood by and watched - wincing in terror, knowing that a mother, her two kids and her niece were trapped inside and nothing more could be done to save them.
36 year old Clarita Nunez, her 6 year old adopted daughter Natasha Mia Nunez; her 14 year-old son, Allan Nunez; and her niece, 15 year-old Sherlett Bacab were all killed in the inferno – their remains gathered and carried away.
Nunez's husband David Nunez and their son 16 year old Samir Nunez were the only two who escaped. They jumped out of the second floor window.
It is one of the most heartbreaking house fires in memory.
Supt. Henry Jemmoth - OC, San Pedro Police
"This is the first time I have seen four persons die in this type of magnitude of situation."
The fire started around 3:00 yesterday morning in the family's home in southern San Pedro. Allan Nunez was awakened by the sound of some sort of explosion but by the time they got up, they were surrounded by fire.
Today at the KHMH, Clarita Nunez' mother spoke about the call she received about the terrible tragedy.
Elidia Catzimc - Mother
"My phone rang and I answer and they told me, do you know what happened and I said no, what happened, they said your daughter and your 4 grandkids died. I am sorry in this way. My daughter was a very good mother, a good daughter and she was loving and kind to 00:30 everyone"
And that is why it is hard to believe that this is a case of arson.
Elidia Catzim
"Well, really we don't know, what people say is that maybe they think like the two steps caught fire they think that someone who light it but we don't know the truth. As I know they don't put themselves in anybody, my son in law is a good son, my daughter too, I don't know anything else about that."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So there is no reason anybody would want to target them?"
Elidia Catzim
"No mama, I don't know anything else about it mama."
But one thing that is for sure, Catzim will never forget the horrid sight of her daughter's remains – a vivid reminder of all she lost in the fire.
Elidia Catzim
"I went into the morgue to see their bodies, I just recognize my daughter head, I didn't recognize no one else, they are in pieces, like pieces of stones."
The Nunez's had been married for 15 years. They lived with their kids in that San Pedro house for 18 years. As we told you David Nunez suffered severe burns and is at the KHMH getting treatment. The only son who survived, Samir, has been released from the hospital. We will keep following this case.
The Fire Department says it continues to look for clues as to what started the fire, including the golf cart parked near the house.
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