A destructive house fire in San Bernardino County killed three pets and left at least eight residents without a home on Sunday evening.
County fire officials said crews arrived just after 6 p.m. to find an active fire quickly spreading in the back of a single-story house in the 14000 block of Pine Avenue in Fontana.
Residents of the home were able to evacuate safely, but, unfortunately, two dogs and one cat were unable to escape. Officials confirmed that the three pets perished in the fire.
“With flames already involved in a detached garage-dwelling unit and now threatening the house next door, crews carried hose lines both into the home and around the side to stop the fire from torching the neighboring structure,” detailed the San Bernardino County Fire Department in an X post.
Meanwhile, according to the report, a truck company deployed to the roof to ventilate the house.
The department said at least 23 personnel responded to the first alarm call, and crews were able to contain the flames before they burned a neighboring home.
This response included four engine companies, two paramedic squads, one ladder truck company, a battalion chief, an investigator and an information officer, according to SBCFD.
“A total of eight people were displaced by the fire, including two adult males, five adult females and one male child,” continued the release. “The Red Cross was called to assist.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the department said the investigation would be led by the office of the fire marshal.
