New Year's Eve Blaze Destroys CVHS Teacher's Home

Gas Company employees were working Tuesday at a family's one-story home in unincorporated La Crescenta that burned in a fire on New Year's Eve.

The fire in the 4900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue broke out about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a watch commander at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station. 

The home belongs to teacher Lucy Witkop, her husband Dean and two sons, Pia Marie Hugo, a History and Economics teacher at CVHS, told Patch. The couple are very active members of , Hugo said. 

The couple celebrated at a New Year's Eve party at the time of the fire, Hugo said. The two sons were also at New Year's Eve parties.

“The house is a total loss,” Richard Engersbach, a technician for the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s station, told the La Canada Valley Sun. The fire was caused by an electrical malfunction, he said. 

The Witkops could not be reached by email or at the home for a statement and have declined media interviews, Hugo told Patch. 

The extent of the damage from the fire is extensive and almost nothing is left, Hugo said. Firefighters said the cause was electrical and flames were fast-moving, she said.

"I'm glad the couple was with us and the two sons were both at a New Year's Eve parties when it happened so no one was hurt," Hugo said. "Even the dog escaped and a neighbor took care of him while the family was gone."

Both Lucy and Dean are also active in their church, Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, and have done missionary work in Africa, Mexico and Skid Row for many years, Hugo said.

"They have to totally rebuild from scratch because they pretty much lost everything in the fire so any small donation would be greatly appreciated," Hugo said.

"They are such a giving couple and it is my hope that this time, the local community will rally around them and give back to them so they and their children can have a fresh start," Hugo said.

Locals who would like to make a monetary donation to help with basic things, including clothing, food and shelter, can email Hugo at phugo@gusd.net for information on how to help.