House Fire Displaces Family of Four

A family of four was displaced from their home on Marnell Avenue after a fire early Monday morning, Santa Cruz fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to reports of a house fire at around 5:10 a.m. at 138 Marnell Ave., between Melrose and Soquel avenues.

They arrived to discover black smoke pouring out of the open front door and flames inside the home, officials said.

The occupants, a man, woman and two young children, were wakened by a smoke alarm. They left the home before firefighters arrived, but responders found the man inside trying to put out the fire.

With the help of Central Fire Protection District, Santa Cruz firefighters put out the fire and discovered that it had started in an air purifier next to the wall.

The man was checked for smoke inhalation and minor injuries at the scene, but he refused to be transported to the hospital, officials said.

Fire officials estimated the fire caused about $20,000 in damage, officials said.

—Bay City News Service