Fire Was ‘Pandemonium:' Resident

Apartment in close proximity to fire station

An apartment in Mission Hills caught fire early Tuesday morning – luckily, the building was in arm’s reach of the local fire station.

According to San Diego firefighters the fire started around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in the downstairs unit of a two-story apartment building on Goldfinch and Washington St.

Witnesses say neighbors alerted the residents inside the burning unit and were able to get everyone evacuated safely.

Firefighters from next door arrived quickly – but said the fire had already been burning for some time. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and then released.

Eight people have been forced to leave their homes and the Red Cross is providing housing.

One neighbor says it was the sounds that alerted him something was wrong.

"I saw smoke billowing up through one apartment. Then I became concerned and told my wife and next thing I knew it was pandemonium and fire department luckily came quickly and started to take care of business." said resident Allen Mooning.

Fire investigators are now looking into a cause. Officials say the fire seems to have started by the apartment's kitchen near a water heater, so that is where they've been focusing their investigation.
 

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