Fire Rips Through Elsinore Townhome

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Three people were displaced Thursday after a fire ripped through a Lake Elsinore townhouse and caused significant damage, fire officials report.

The non-injury blaze was reported about 1:40 p.m. in the 500 block of Parkview Drive, near Machado Park, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

"The first arriving engine company reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the structure," said agency spokeswoman April Newman.

About 20 firefighters were sent to the location and encountered flames on the first floor of the townhouse. The fire spread to the second floor before crews got it under control 20 minutes later.

"The fire has been contained to a room and contents on the first floor, which extension to the second floor of the residence," Newman said at 2:35 p.m.

The American Red Cross was notified to assist the victims with finding temporary accommodations, according to the fire department.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Shutterstock