A fire at a University City apartment complex has displaced those living in two units Monday, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said.
The fire broke out at about 1:20 p.m. on the fourth floor of the La Scala Luxury Villas, located at 3845 Nobel Drive.
Because it is a high rise, firefighters requested a second alarm response as back-up, but the extra crew was not needed when firefighters contained the flames to one unit and put them out within 20 minutes, according to SDFD Battalion Chief John Strock.
Two people live in the unit but were not home at the time. The Red Cross is responding to help them find a place to stay.
A cat was found inside, but it hid from the flames and came out unharmed.
Water damaged two units beneath the fire. Strock said three adults in one of those units have been displaced for a time as well.
Fire investigators said the fire was started by smoldering smoking materials left on the living room couch. They said the fire caused an estimated $32,000 in damage.
Local
Lanes on Nobel Drive was shut down for a time while firefighters responded to the blaze.