Fire victim identified, cause of Wednesday fire remains unknown

Cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation

SANTA CRUZ >> County officials released information about the woman killed in a fire Wednesday morning at the old recovery center at 265 Water St.

The victim was identified as Shandra Marie Gutierrez, 43, of Santa Cruz. First responders were warned that Gutierrez was trapped inside when they arrived on the scene but were unable to rescue her in time.

First responders attempted to breach the building upon arrival but were forced to retreat due to overwhelming heat and smoke, Santa Cruz Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Coleman told the Sentinel on Wednesday. Crews continued to fight the fire from outside of the building.

Fire conditions improved upon arrival of a backup crew. Firefighters reentered the building and located Gutierrez on the second floor.

Gutier rez wa s pro - nounced dead at the scene. County officials have not yet confirmed the cause of death, but a press release from the fire department said her death was due to injuries she sustained in the fire.

Firefighters continued the search for more possible victims but did not find any, according to the report. They were then forced to fight the fire from outside again as conditions worsened once more.

The building was abandoned and boarded up at the start of the pandemic, County Spokesman Jason Hoppin told the Sentinel on Wednesday. Occupants of the building Wednesday morning were trespassers, according to the press release. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire.