One person dead after Santa Cruz County house fire, firefighters say

RIO DEL MAR/LA SELVA, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County confirms one person is dead after a fire at a home sparked late Tuesday night.

Central Fire says they responded to the initial reports of the fire around 11:31 p.m. along Seascape Boulevard between the Rio Del Mar and La Selva areas of Santa Cruz County.

"It happened so fast, amazing how fast it went up," said David Anastacio who described the moments his home went up in flames.

He says he had just gotten into bed when his friend's urgent cries jolted him awake.

"I went in and lay on my bed for maybe not even a minute. And I heard, Dave, Dave. And I had heard them, it was like a distress call. So I jumped up and I ran out the door. And I came into the room right next door, and the flames were on fire," said Anastacio.

Now he worries the friend who saved him didn't save himself.

"If they didn't go, Dave, Dave, yelling for me, I'd be burned up right now. He saved my life."

The next morning, yellow caution tape could be seen surrounding the charred structure.

According to Central Fire, one person was inside the home when they arrived.

That person passed away on the scene.

Fire crews believe the fire started on the first floor.

According to Division Chief Nigel Miller, it took several hours and agencies to put out the flames.

Miller says there was a lot of extreme fire behavior because of the items inside the home, and the home itself is looking like a total loss.

"A lot of items inside the structure and burning the actual structure membranes," said Nigel.

Fire crews say the fire is still under investigation.

David says he is staying with a friend while he figures out his living situation.

Central Fire says the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is setting up accommodations for the people who lived in the home.

No identifying information of the person who died was provided.