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Uploaded: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 4:27 PM
Donations still being accepted for Zuffa family
Police decline to reveal any new information in ongoing investigation
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by Janet Pelletier
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
Donations are still trickling in for the family of a woman who received second- and third-degree burns to her body after her home exploded and a fire ensued.
Pleasanton Middle School, which is where the family's youngest son attends classes, has been leading a fundraising drive since early December. School secretary Karen Buchanan said the school has received $3,595, which includes cash and checks written out to PMS. That amount does not include checks written out in the Zuffa's name and dropped at the front office, she said, which were handed over to the family. The community has also supported the family through gift cards, totaling at least $2,000, Buchanan added. In addition to PMS's drive, Andrew Ochoa, a fellow classmate and friend of the youngest son, collected both monetary and clothing donations. To donate to the family, call PMS at 426-4390 or stop by the front office at 5001 Case Ave.
The woman who was injured, Deonna Zuffa, 40, is listed in critical but stable condition at St. Francis Memorial Hospital's Bothin Burn Center in San Francisco, according to police. A woman who answered the phone at the burn center Wednesday said the family was declining press inquiries.
Discussion has mounted on the Weekly's Town Square online discussion forum with users posting a number of their theories. Police, who were asked to investigate the fire by the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, have classified the case as "suspicious," but have remained tight-lipped.
Here are the known facts about the incident: the fire broke out at about 11 a.m. Dec. 8 in the 800 block of East Angela Street. Deonna Zuffa, who was the only person home, was witnessed by neighbors running out of the home, engulfed by flames. The family's two dogs were not injured in the fire as they were being taken to a pet groomer. Neighbors said they heard a loud explosion that shook the ground, followed by the blaze that has left the single-story home located across the street from St. Augustine Catholic Church a total loss.
Police have ruled out natural gas as being the cause of the explosion and fire, but have not released an official cause. Police acknowledged that the Zuffas owned muscle cars and go-karts and had gasoline containers stored in the garage, but declined to say whether the gas may have contributed to the explosion or fire. Police have also declined to say where the fire was started, which also damaged two neighboring homes and displaced a second family.
Sgt. Jim Knox said police won't have any new information to reveal especially since they have yet to speak with Deonna Zuffa.
Zuffa and her husband Keith filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in June, according to public records. The case was dismissed on Oct. 30, but a court commissioner said it is still open and a court date was set for Feb. 9. Records also show the home was sold for $75,000 in a foreclosure sale on Sept. 30 to Marilyn and Richard Greenberg.
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Posted by Christian Cisneros, a member of the Hart Middle School community, on Jan 8, 2009 at 5:41 pm I think that what andrew ochoa did was right and was compassionate. his name was all around the bay area because of the donation and hes been on the news and everything.
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Posted by Great!, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:31 am (Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)
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Posted by Apalled reader, a resident of another community, on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:44 pm (Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)
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Posted by Great is an idiot, a resident of the Bonde Ranch neighborhood, on Jan 10, 2009 at 3:03 pm (Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)
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Posted by Please Stop, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Jan 14, 2009 at 1:08 pm Although we live just a few houses down from the Zuffa's we did not know them personally. Please members of the Pleasanton community, stop casting stones and playing Columbo - let the police do their job, as they are the qualified experts.
Regardless of what truth lies ahead and what the investigation reveals, the two Zuffa boys are forever scared by what has transpired. Please think of them and their emotions and what all of the negative speculation from their community may be doing to their psychological well being. They didn't ask for this and are innocent children. Please stop, please.
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Posted by still waiting, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 14, 2009 at 9:07 pm Well all everyone keeps on saying is let the Police do their job. If that's the case then they need to do it. I find it hard to believe that they have no clues as to how it started by know. A month later and they still say nothing. Come on lets get some answers we deserve them.
Hell The Dept. of Forestry can tell you how and where a fire starts in a matter of hours after they arrive. You mean the local PD cant figure out how to investigate the fire? Maybe this is over their head and they should bring in the qualified people to runt he investigation.
I think its about time the people in the community get some answers.
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Posted by Weird, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 16, 2009 at 9:53 am I think the bottom line is that they (police/fire) are probably awaiting a comment/statement from Mrs. Zuffa. There is no point in putting out information that is not complete. I too want an answer, but I want it to be accurate. Just be patient and the answers will appear.....hopefully
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Posted by Tim, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 21, 2009 at 1:20 am Maybe the Police are dragging their feet is because Deonna's Father-in law (Kieth's Dad) was a voluntary Police officer for the city of Pleasenton.
They do take care of themselves!
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Posted by ptowner, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 22, 2009 at 4:31 pm OR maybe they want to speak with De but unfortunatley she is in a coma and has been since the incident! get a life people!
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Posted by Unsatisfied, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2009 at 12:17 pm I totally fail to see the victim's statement having anything to do with the results of the incident investigation whatsoever. Perhaps the police investigators need that information, the public does not. We expect that the people we employ as investigators have the skills, training and expertice to determine how these incidents happen based on fact and evidence, in the absence of a first-hand account, or a witness. We are very interested in the victim's account of what happened, however it is not in any way needed for the police to level with the public on how this happened.
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Posted by weird, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm I am just shocked that there is still nothing in the form in an answer from the authorities.....I am pretty darn sure they know all they need to know by now! Whenever Mrs. Zuffa is in position to give a statement will be great; however I just don't see it having any reflection on the investigation.
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Posted by Downtowner, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 30, 2009 at 11:15 pm Hoping the Weekly will do a follow-up story on the current status of the investigation.
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Posted by Yo, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on May 14, 2009 at 10:25 am This is to Weird and Still Waiting,
Why dont you find something better to do with your lives then to ponder of this incident........it's over for god sakes. Move on. Who the heck cares
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