COUNTY FIRE SPEAKS TO LATE DISCOVERY OF JOSHUA TREE FIRE VICTIM

The discovery of a charred body Monday in the rubble of a burned out house in Joshua Tree has raised questions of how the County Fire Department missed it following the fire seven weeks ago. According to County Fire Department Public Information Officer Tracy Martinez, when fire fighters arrived at the home at 63025 Sunny Sands on November 23, they found the home fully involved in flames, and downed power lines prevented access to the home. Martinez said several neighbors told fire fighters they had seen someone-identified both as the home’s resident and as an unidentified male-leaving the scene prior to the fire, and so they had no reason to believe there was anyone in the home. Martinez added that even if fire fighters had known anyone was inside, the blaze was so hot they could not have gotten inside to rescue anyone, nor could anyone have survived the fire. According to Martinez, the house’s roof, kitchen, and living room had collapsed, and the rubble in those areas was more than a foot deep. During the overhaul and investigation following the fire, fire fighters and investigators did not discover the body, nor did they have any reason to suspect there was a body to discover. Martinez said the fire department was not notified by the Sheriff’s Department about the missing person’s report for David Frowery, 45, the home’s resident who had not been heard from since the fire. According to Martinez, the Fire Department followed standard protocols, but nevertheless, it is reviewing its procedures and the investigation. Martinez said, “It is unfortunate that we did not find the body on that day.” The County Coroner has not yet confirmed the body found in the rubble was that of Frowery.