EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) - A family and some of their pets escaped a fire that ripped through their El Cajon home Friday morning.
The fire was reported shortly before 5:30 a.m. at a home on 1st Street, near Peach Avenue, according to El Cajon police.
10News learned a teen heard a smoke alarm and saw a fire burning in a back area of the home, prompting her to alert everyone in the house.
The girl's parents and two sisters grabbed two dogs, several hamsters and a cat, and fled from the burning house.
Firefighters were able to douse the flames about 40 minutes later. However, one pet was found dead in the damaged home and another was still missing as of 7 a.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Family members told 10News the smoke detectors that alerted the teen was just installed last month.
