Local musician dies in Chula Vista house fire

A popular local musician died after a fire in his Chula Vista home earlier this week, according to friends and authorities.

Keyboardist Max Zape, 62, was a “great friend and musician who will always be remembered for his upbeat personality and musicianship,” friend Tony Golingan wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his memorial.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m. Monday at his home on Loma Lane, just north of East Orange Avenue near Loma Verde Elementary School, according to Chula Vista Fire Capt. Eric Martinez.

“Firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded, extinguished the fire, rescued two occupants, and transported them to a local hospital,” Martinez said.

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Zape’s death.

Martinez said investigators found damage from the fire had been limited to the kitchen, and the rest of the home sustained smoke damage.

“All indicators are pointing to the fire being caused by food left unattended on the stove,” Martinez said.

Zape’s Facebook page indicates he had attended Castle Park High School and studied jazz at University of Southern California.

“I play music for a living. For real!” Zape wrote on his Instagram page. “I ride between the pious and the profane, and will offend if provoked.”

Fox5 reported that friends said Zape had l...