Bay City News Service

SALINAS — A damaged electrical power strip is the likely culprit in an Oct. 3 apartment fire that killed 52-year-old Daniel Lee Smith, the Salinas Fire Department said Friday.

The investigation was launched by the department with assistance from Salinas police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the aftermath of the fire at the first-floor apartment in a complex at 850 Garner Ave.

Firefighters arrived around 6:20 a.m. to find the apartment fully involved and “neighbors desperately trying to rescue Smith through windows they had broken out as he called out for help.

Despite their efforts, Smith became disoriented and wandered beyond their reach as flames “overtook the entire apartment,” the department said in an announcement.

Smith died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns, according to the Monterey County Coroner’s Office.

The fire gutted the apartment and did significant damage to at least three other units, displacing several residents. Total damage is estimated at more than $300,000.

An investigation concluded that electrical arcing in a power strip ignited the fire, which then spread to combustible material nearby.

“It is a common practice for Salinas to request investigative assistance from ATF for significant fires where life is lost or injuries occur”, said Salinas Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Samuel Klemek. “They bring a myriad of forensic resources to the table that we otherwise wouldn’t have access to.”

Salinas fire officials say proper use and regular inspection of electrical cords can prevent such fires and warn that placing extension cords under rugs or heavy furniture can cause damage to wires.