O.C. Family Thanks Firefighters for Saving Them From House Fire Set By Arsonist, Officials Say

LADERA RANCH (CBSLA.com) —  Members of a Ladera Ranch family Friday thanked the Orange County Fire Authority crew for saving them from a house fire that investigators said was set by an arsonist.

Their house in the 20 block of Rinehart Road went up in flames about 1:40 a.m. April 29.

On Friday, the Young family visited with the Orange County Fire Authority to show their gratitude for saving their lives.

"First of all, thank you for saving us from the fire and also thank you for putting the fire out and helping us while the fire was there," 7-year-old Katie Young said.

Investigators said someone deliberately set the fire in the garage, which was directly below the Katie's bedroom. Fortunately, she was sleeping in her parents' bedroom that morning.

Firefighters said escaping from that part of the house would have been nearly impossible.

"They haven't said that specifically. But they don't have to. I know that her bed was directly over the car that exploded," Katie's mom, Kristi Young said.

Mrs. Young said: "It makes me angry and furious" that her family was targeted - a tragedy that also affected the kids in her neighborhood. "The kids across the street from us are terrorized. I just can't imagine who could do that to a child," Mrs. Young added.

Katie lost all her treasures including her prized collection of Disney's memorabilia. The community chipped in and bought the girl stuff she likes.

The suspected arsonist has not been arrested.