A house fire turned fatal in the north end of San Bernardino late Sunday night, officials confirmed on Monday.
It was around 11:43 p.m. on Feb. 16 when crews with San Bernardino County Fire responded to reports of a house fire in the 5600 block of Louise Street, with a possible person inside.
The department said in a post to X that the first-arriving engine crew saw heavy dark smoke coming from the back of the house, with flames reaching into the attic.
Additional crews arrived and firefighters got into the home to attack the fire from the inside and search for any victims.
Crews also used thermal imaging to aid in the search, and the fire department said the devices showed high heat levels coming from the inside of the house.
To help combat the flames and heat inside, a truck company crew purportedly coordinated with personnel inside to open ventilation holes in the roof. The department said this cleared the smoke and improved visibility.
However, despite the aggressive interior attack against heavy fire conditions reported by San Bernardino County Fire, the fire claimed the lives of one woman and one cat.
Crews found the bodies inside the home, both were already beyond resuscitation.
In addition to the fatalities, officials said a firefighter suffered a burn injury during the attack and was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he was treated and later released.
“A total of 17 fire personnel, comprising four engine companies, one ladder truck and a battalion chief responded to the fire,” said the department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
