The 75-year-old man who died when his home caught fire late Monday night in Capitola Village has been identified as Robert Edgren.
Ashley Kheen of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office did not release the cause of death.
Central Fire crews responded to the two-alarm fire at 9:50pm at 204 Monterey Ave. to flames lashing out the side of a building from the first and second floors of a large apartment complex at 240 Monterey Ave.
Battalion Chief Jack Kokot said flames also spread into the second floor of a nearby commercial building that houses Mijo’s Taqueria and Giesha Sushi restaurants. Kokot said there were multiple people calling about the incident.
“Crews initiated a fire attack and they made entry into the structure where they located a male victim and pulled him out,” Kokot said. “Despite life-saving measures, he was transported but ultimately perished.”
He added that a second person suffered smoke inhalation, who was evaluated but was not taken to the hospital.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated and released at the scene.
The fire was contained in about one hour, with crews remaining on scene for about five hours.
A total of 21 firefighters from five agencies responded, along with three ground ambulances and a medical supervisor.
Santa Cruz City Fire, Watsonville Fire Department, Scotts Valley Fire, Cal FIre, Felton Fire, American Medical Response, Capitola Police Department and PG&E all responded.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Mijo’s and Giesha Sushi restaurants were red-tagged due to smoke and water damage, and it was not clear how long they would remain closed.
Edgren staged an unsuccessful bid for Capitola City Council in the November 2016 election.
A woman named Holly, who declined to give her last name, said she used to live in the house where she took care of Edgren’s parents. She described him as a gentle man who loved his dog Molly, and walked her every morning in the village.
She said the house was so close to the sushi restaurant that she could see people eating from her window.
