Scott Cox died on February 3, 1980.
The 4 members of CDF Engine 5373 (Edwin M Marty, Fire Captain, Scott W Cox, firefighter, Ronald T Lorant, Firefighter, Steven R Manley, Firefighter), responded from Nipomo Station and arrived on the Spanish Ranch fire just prior to 1600 hrs. Engine 5373 was assigned to provide support for firing out. Around 1615 hrs the fire begins to pick up, and at 1625 hrs extreme fire behavior is observed and area ignition occurred. Ed Marty, Ron Lorant and Steve Manley died in the fire.