10 Residents Displaced In Spring Valley Townhouse Fire

SPRING VALLEY, CA – A fire at a townhouse complex near Monte Vista High School displaced 10 people Thursday, caused in excess of $200,000 in property losses and killed a family's pet cat.

The blaze in the 10100 block of Austin Drive in Spring Valley erupted for unknown reasons shortly before 10 a.m. Crews were able to confine the flames to one unit and had them under control within about 20 minutes, said Andy Lawler, a battalion chief with San Miguel Fire & Rescue.

A second residence sustained smoke damage and was left with ventilation holes cut in its roof by firefighters to release heat and smoke from the building, he said.

The blaze resulted in no injuries to emergency personnel or residents, Lawler said. The deceased feline was found in the fire-damaged unit.

The American Red Cross was called in to help the displaced -- six adults and four children -- arrange for alternate lodging.

Due to the extent of damage to the structure, investigators were unable to determine what sparked the fire, Lawler said.

Traffic lanes in the immediate area remained blocked off to the public through late morning.

About 35 personnel from three agencies – including Heartland Fire & Rescue and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department – responded to the blaze, Lawler said.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock