The Sun Sunnyvale's Newspaper Photograph by Skye Dunlap Police are investigating whether the fire that destroyed this house on Sequoia Drive and took the life of an elderly resident was accidental. Police look into cause of Sequoia fire Investigators question whether residents' death was a suicide By Justin Berton Almost two weeks after a garage fire in the 700 block of Sequoia Drive claimed the life of an elderly man, yellow police lines still sag across what once was a meticulously kept front yard. Sheets of particle board mask the garage where fire investigators believe the blaze started--a fire that was initially believed to be an act of suicide. "The cause of the fire was submitted as 'undetermined' because there is just not enough evidence to say one way or another," said Mike Nelson, fire investigator for the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. "It's more probable that its cause was accidental than it was a suicide." Nelson said the body of 73-year-old Yoshimichi "George" Taira was found sitting in the driver's seat of a 1989 Honda Accord in the garage of the residence after firefighters put out the blaze late Dec. 12. According to interviews by fire investigators, Taira was suffering from terminal cancer. He was living at the home of friend Ruby Kawabata, who was "assisting him in his final days," Nelson said. Taira often went to the garage to smoke, as he was not permitted to do so inside the house, Nelson said. According to the fire report, Kawabata's cigarette most likely started the blaze inside the car. Nelson said Taira could have easily nodded off, unintentionally starting the fire. According to Nelson, neighbor Keegan McClosky witnessed the fire as he drove home from work. McClosky pulled into the driveway and knocked on the door to alert Kawabata. McClosky tried to use the house phone to call the fire department, but was unable to because the phone was cordless. Before they left the home, Kawabata and McClosky searched for Taira, but were unsuccessful in locating him. When Kawabata opened the door to the garage, flames shot out and she quickly closed the door. "The fire was right in her face," Nelson said. The two went to a neighbor's house and called the fire department. According to Nelson, the last time Kawabata saw Taira was earlier in the evening when she assisted him to bed. Neighbors who knew the well-liked Kawabata expressed grief for their friend. "I just hope Ruby is doing all right," one neighbor, who has lived across the street from Kawabata for 30 years, said. The neighbor did not want to be identified by name. "She has been a very good friend and neighbor." One of Kawabata's next-door neighbors, who also asked not to be identified, hoped the issue can put a stop to the rumors. "I heard so many rumors as to why or what started the fire," he said. "I hope everything comes out all right for Ruby." [ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, December 30, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.