Fire kills 1, injures 5

A house fire in a converted garage in Bellflower early Thursday morning left one woman dead and five others injured, authorities said.

[Not again]

This can't be, not another death because of people living in a converted garage. Well, this time it is the City of Bellflower who must grapple with code enforcement/safety issues. One dead, five people injured (four are children), is that not enough of a wake up call for people to stop living in these dangerous converted garages? Neighbors should report families that are living in converted garages, it might save lives. Don't let this happen, not again!

[TAUANUU FAMILY]

Our Hearts go out to the Hunkin Family especialy Jr. on this very horific tragedy and the loss of his beautiful wife. Big Mama you will be missed by everyone who knew you.. You left an everlasting impression on us all.. Forever you will remain in our hearts..

[TAUANUU FAMILY]

Not again... where is your compassion for the family?? who cares about code enforcements now..a Beautiful life was lost..

[Leah Valentino]

A trust account has been arranged to accept donations for the family.

Bank of America
Account Number 23533-73157
In Trust for the Family of Ruth Fiaseu and Lenne Pualasi

Any donations are welcome and helpful.
contact [e-mail]

[NOT AGAIN POSTER]

FYI it was not a converted garage...the areas that burned was an add on area. the fire was caused by a wire shortage in the attic per fire officials.
we lost a loved one and you're gonna post some BS like that.....before you go on w/that nonesense get your facts straigt. if you notice the van that was parkedin drive way, the front in was in the garage. my uncle parks the car in the garage or in driveway. garage was used for just what it was made for.
cousin of deceased

[Dee Cochran]

My prayers go out to the family.
I agree, there is no compassion these days.
I can only hope that one day everyone will have a safe place to live. With high rents & low wages you must do whatever it takes to keep the family together.
I know Big Mama will be with you all in spirit.
God bless you all

[loren]

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry if you read the hateful comments that always come up on these sites.

[DANGER]

"A Los Angeles County fire investigator examines damage caused by a blaze at a converted garage at 9429 Cedar St. in Bellflower on Thursday. One woman was killed and five people, including four children, were hospitalized."

WARNING - CONVERTED GARAGES ARE HAZARDOUS!

[FROM THE 541]

MY HEART GOES OUT 2 THE HUNKIN and THE ELISAIA FAMILIEs! YOU GUYs HAVE BEEN THRU SO MUCH IN THE PAST...I PRAY AND HOPE GOD WILL COMFORT YOUR SOULs, AND HELP YOU ALL GET BY. JUST REMEMBER LENEE IS IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE..AND IT IS GUARANTEED, THAT YOU WILL ALL BE "REUNITED" WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN. MY THOUGHTs AND PRAYERs ARE WITH YOU ALL..REST IN LOVE and PEACE LENEE..YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!!

ps-to all you ppl who have no lives and post some rude unnecessary comments about this tragic accident...YOU NEED JESUS!

[KATHY]

SAD......BUT...this is a common sense issue. Most of the time someone would be cooking in the garage. This summer there will be a lot of deaths due to common sense issues,and also incidents of parental neglect due to heat(leaving babies/kids in cars),and drownings.. Again this comes down to "common sense". The more new flow of cultures that come in, the more deaths there will be because of common sense issues... Again condolences to the family,but people need to get a clue,and learn to know right from wrong. Ignorance is not a good thing to stay in generation, to generation. Sorry again...But this won't be the last tragic story.. Some people embrace ignorance..

[Art]

People have been living in garages for a long, long time and I bet if they keep records more people die in regular homes from whatever than they do in garages. Some snobs just like to point fingers.
I bet I could find code violations in any of your homes

[Leah]

KATHY wrote:

SAD......BUT...this is a common sense issue. Most of the time someone would be cooking in the garage. This summer there will be a lot of deaths due to common sense issues,and also incidents of parental neglect due to heat(leaving babies/kids in cars),and drownings.. Again this comes down to "common sense". The more new flow of cultures that come in, the more deaths there will be because of common sense issues... Again condolences to the family,but people need to get a clue,and learn to know right from wrong. Ignorance is not a good thing to stay in generation, to generation. Sorry again...But this won't be the last tragic story.. Some people embrace ignorance..

To those of you who have expressed your condolences, please know that the family feels and appreciates the support. I have been with them tonight and last night and they are obviously devastated. For those of you who have nothing better to do than to speculate and judge, please find some other way to occupy your time and leave these kind, loving, wonderful people alone. I may never know the closeness and commitment that they have for one another, but I can assure you, they are good people and do not deserve your scorn. Have some respect.

[POMALE FAMILY IN VP]

Daaaang Sis., had to katch dat flight to heaven, huh??!! My deepest kondolences to u hubby (D.J.), da Hunkin, & Pulalasi family during dis time. May da good Lord komfort ur hearts and strengthen dem az well. You'll forever be in our hearts "BIGG MOMMAH"!! Manuia Lou Malaga Sis.!! We Love & Miss You Sis.!!

[HER UNCLE]

THIS IS IN REPLY TO KATHY'S IGNORANT POST: TO ASSUME IS TO ERROR.....FOR YOU TO SPECULATE ABOUT ANYONE COOKING IN THE GARAGE IN REFERENCE TO THIS TRAGIC INCIDENT, IS VERY IGNORANT ON YOUR PART. YOU ASSUME WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE WITHOUT ASCERTAING THE FACTS. NO ONE COOKS IN THAT GARAGE, AND FURTHER MORE, THIS FIRE WAS MORE LIKELY TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HOPE IN THE FUTURE YOU WILL BE LESS JUDGEMENTAL, AND NOT SPECULATE.

Leah wrote:

<quoted text>
To those of you who have expressed your condolences, please know that the family feels and appreciates the support. I have been with them tonight and last night and they are obviously devastated. For those of you who have nothing better to do than to speculate and judge, please find some other way to occupy your time and leave these kind, loving, wonderful people alone. I may never know the closeness and commitment that they have for one another, but I can assure you, they are good people and do not deserve your scorn. Have some respect.

[Minne Tuitoelau]

BIG MAMA!!!! I miss you so much... I can't believe you're gone... Who's gonna make me laugh when I come to Uncle Dee's??? Who's gonna always make sure I had something to eat??? That was our BIG MAMA ... lookin' out for everyone else... makin' sure we're good... Big Mama... I LOVE YOU..........I LOVE YOU BIG MAMA... I LOVE YOU........ I LOVE YOU ....... I LOVE YOU.......

[South Bay TEINE]

Sooooo sad.....prayers go out to the family&eautiful soul lost...loto tetele! much alofas!!!

[Mouth from the South]

KATHY wrote:

SAD......BUT...this is a common sense issue. Most of the time someone would be cooking in the garage. This summer there will be a lot of deaths due to common sense issues,and also incidents of parental neglect due to heat(leaving babies/kids in cars),and drownings.. Again this comes down to "common sense". The more new flow of cultures that come in, the more deaths there will be because of common sense issues... Again condolences to the family,but people need to get a clue,and learn to know right from wrong. Ignorance is not a good thing to stay in generation, to generation. Sorry again...But this won't be the last tragic story.. Some people embrace ignorance..

Kathy, maybe you need to use some of that "common sense" and not be so judgemental. The more new flow of cultures that come in?? If that ain't a racist comment, I don't know what is! Someone cooking in the garage?? Where do you live lady? In the comfort of your Long Beach mansion? Get a clue lady! If you don't have one..get one! It wasn't a converted garage! it was an ADD ON!!!!
The fire was started by an ELECTRIAL SHORT! Get your facts straight before you run your mouth. I bet you're white, huh? And you think all minorities live 20 to a house, convert garages, can't speak english and are allowed to live on the very same soil you live on! It's a America lady and if you didn't know it's 2008!!! Catch up!!!

RIP BIG MAMA!!!

[Anonymous too]

And you'd think that in 2008, people would understand that living in garages is dangerous...sheesh!

[Vera Lusia]

Deepest condolences to Lenee's husband & family.
Pray the others who were hospitalized recover soon.

[Mouth from the south]

Anonymous too wrote:

And you'd think that in 2008, people would understand that living in garages is dangerous...sheesh!

And you think in 2008 people would have more sense than to say something like that!!!