A structure fire that erupted in a Pomona Valley duplex unit injured a woman and killed one dog early morning Saturday, according to fire officials.
Crews with the City of La Verne and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the fire in the 2500 block of Sycamore Drive around 4 a.m.
When firefighters first arrived, officials said they found smoke and flames coming from the rear of a one-story duplex.
Only one person was living in the unit, and crews found she had evacuated the home on her own – but she had sustained injuries.
Details are limited, and officials did not immediately specify the extent of her injuries, but they did say that she was transported to a local hospital.
“Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and primary search,” stated a release from La Verne city officials. “During the search, they located two dogs inside the unit and despite resuscitation efforts, one of the dogs unfortunately did not survive.”
Preliminary information did not include further information on the status of the second dog.
Crews were able to knock down the fire within 18 minutes and officials said they contained it to only one duplex unit.
Adjacent unit residents were all able to safely evacuate, and none were reported to have been impacted by the fire.
The single unit, however, sustained significant damage and is now uninhabitable. City officials said crews offered Red Cross services to the resident.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
