Two families, including two toddlers, escaped an early morning house fire in Chula Vista, thanks to the quick actions of a neighbor.
Firefighters responded to the fast-moving fire on Cuyamaca Avenue, near Hilltop Drive and E Naples Street, Friday at 4:30 a.m.
Neighbor Elia Kovar heard cries for help and rushed to the home.
Kovar helped pull a 2-year-old child and a 3-year-old child to safety through a back window.
"I heard someone yelling outside 'Fire! Fire!' or I kept hearing some popping noise. I thought they were either gunshots or fire," said Kovar. "I came out. The house was up in flames. I was able to help the mother get out of the window."
The mother was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for a minor injury to the forehead.
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A second firefighter was also injured.
Two families lived inside the home. Kovar said all seven people escaped safely, and are resting at her home.
10 dogs were inside the house that caught fire. Six dogs were rescued. Four dogs died.
The fire destroyed the house, and two cars parked in the driveway.
Firefighters said the home was fully involved in flames when they arrived, and crews were not able to go inside. They took a defensive approach and battled the fire from the outside.
Crews were able to stop the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.
Power lines are down.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
