SAN DIEGO, Calif. — One person was hospitalized, and three animals lost their lives after a fire broke out at a Chula Vista home and spread to a neighboring residence on Monday.
The fire broke out on Woodlawn Avenue in southwest Chula Vista, where a home became engulfed in flames around 2:30 p.m., according to the Chula Vista Fire Department.
One woman who lived inside the home where the fire originated, which was a total loss, said she and the other residents had no idea where they were going to stay.
ABC 10News learned six people were on the property when the fire broke out — four in the backyard and two inside the home. All managed to evacuate, but one person from the backyard was taken to the hospital after attempting to fight the flames.
"When they say fire comes alive, it was really coming alive like you couldn't stop it. You gotta get out of here," said Marvin Puerto, who was visiting a friend in the backyard when the fire started.
Puerto said flames appeared to be coming from the back corner of the house, though the cause remains unknown. Neighbors reported hearing popping sounds before seeing thick black smoke.
"I heard a 'Pop! Pop!' and I knew the school was letting out, so I go, I hope it's not a gunshot. I ran to my backyard and all I see is a big cloud of black smoke," said Yvette Luna, who lives near the burned home.
Henry Contreras, who lives across the street, said he tried to help extinguish the flames himself with a garden hose, but it was too late.
"Something started exploding in the back and I was like oh sh*t, you know I just gotta get out of here," Contreras said.
Firefighters said they knocked down the flames within 30 minutes, but not before the fire damaged the adjacent home. Tragically, at least two dogs and one cat died in the blaze, according to the Chula Vista Fire Department.
"So sad. Heartbreaking," Puerto said.
Multiple agencies, including San Diego Fire, Chula Vista Fire, Imperial Beach Fire, and National City Fire, were on scene to assist. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
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