Fire Damages Murrieta Family Home, Kills Pet

MURRIETA, CA — A fire damaged a family home in Murrieta Monday night, killing a cat but sparing all other residents, according to an eyewitness report.

The blaze was reported shortly before 7 p.m. in the 40000 block of White Leaf Lane.

According to scanner radio traffic, first responders with Murrieta Fire Department arrived on scene and saw smoke and flames through an upstairs window. The firefighters made entry into the home and began quickly knocking down the blaze.

An eyewitness report from the scene indicated a boy and girl were inside the residence but escaped injury, and were tended to by first responders. A man dressed in military fatigues, and a woman, arrived at the home separately, minutes after fire crews were on scene.

The four people were consoled by a Trauma Intervention Program representative, who got on scene a short time later.

A black cat was pulled from the fire, and first responders worked to revive the animal with an oxygen mask designed for small pets, but it died at the scene. Firefighters placed a sheet over the cat, according to the eyewitness report.

A dog, which was in the back yard, was saved from the blaze and reunited with the four people.

It took about 15 minutes to put out the fire, and during the containment efforts smoke could also be seen coming through downstairs entry points.

The extent of damage inside the home was not immediately known.

After putting out the fire, crews remained on scene to mop up.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.