Man Crawls to Safety From Burning House

An 88-year-old man crawled through his bathroom window to escape flames and smoke from a fire that caused an estimated $325,000 damage to his Camarillo home, authorities said Tuesday.

Al Kenyon was not injured in Monday’s 11:47 p.m. fire at 70 Vientos Road, said Joe L. Luna, a Ventura County Fire Department spokesman.

Kenyon, who lives alone in the 3,500-square-foot house, was awakened by the sound of his neighbors’ barking dogs, Luna said.

Kenyon had to tear off the screen of the closest bathroom window because smoke and flames had filled the house, blocking any other escape route, said Firefighter Troy Swikard.

“He was using a garden hose on the house when we got there,” Swikard said.

The home has five bedrooms and three bathrooms but most of the damage was to the living room and attic. Swikard said a malfunctioning heater or electrical wiring in the attic caused the fire.

The damage to Kenyon’s house was estimated at about $200,000. Authorities said he also lost about $125,000 worth of antiques and furniture.

After the fire, Kenyon spent Monday night at a neighbor’s home, Swikard said.

Thirty-nine firefighters, seven engines and a ladder truck responded to the fire.