Teamwork and a fire extinguisher were behind the effort that prevented a fire in a University Heights apartment unit from spreading throughout the complex.
Neighbors of the unit at Catalina Apartments complex on Cleveland Avenue told NBC 7 that several of them assisted in putting out the fire. It sparked at around 8:30 p.m. while the couple that lived in the unit wasn’t home.
Several of them smashed the glass plates on extinguisher cases that line the interior hallway of the apartment and went to work.
By the time San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) firefighters got there the flames were out. The fast-thinking neighbors kept the flames contained to the unit's living room.
"I am very relieved that it was minimal compared to the way it could be," neighbor Katherine Torrance said. "This is an old building. I am very encouraged to see how my neighbors banded together really quickly to make sure the place didn't go down in flames."
Torrance said she grabbed the extinguisher nearest to her unit and ran from the opposite end of the complex.
Neighbors said they were also able to save three cats from the burning apartment. None of them were injured.
Local
Red Cross assistance was requested for two adults. No injuries were reported.
Neighbors suspected a lit candle sparked the fire. Investigators could not confirm that, but did say they do not think the fire is suspicious.
Monetary damage caused by the fire is estimated at $10,000.
No other information was available.
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