Man Killed in San Juan Capistrano House Fire

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters responding to the scene of a house fire in San Juan Capistrano found the body of man in his late 50s.

While the man died, firefighters were able to rescue a cat from the blaze. The cause of the fire and manner of death remain under investigation, said Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Hurdle.

Firefighters received a call of a structure fire at the 29000 block of Edgewood Road at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

“Firefighters arrived at the scene and found a single story home with thick black smoke inside,” Hurdle said. “They also found a male in his late 50s down in the residence. He was removed into the front yard where he was evaluated by Orange County firefighters and pronounced dead at scene.”

Inside the home, firefighters also found a cat suffering from smoke inhalation.

“That cat was barely breathing when firefighters found and resuscitated it,” Hurdle added.

They were able to bring it back to health using a pet oxygen mask, he said. The animal is now in the care of the Orange County Animal Care Center.

The house did not have a working smoke alarm, added Hurdle.

As of late Tuesday, investigators continued to scour the scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Photos: Orange County Fire Authority