A microwave electrical malfunction sparked a fire that killed a dog, displaced two families and damaged two townhouses in a Rancho Bernardo residential fourplex on Friday, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The blaze in the 17400 block of Fairlie Road broke out shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Top Stories on NBC 7 San Diego
It took crews about 25 minutes to put out the fire, SDFRD Battalion Chief Mark Reece said. The personnel were able to confine the flames to one of the adjoining residences, but another sustained smoke and water damage.
Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.
"Unfortunately, we lost one pet today, (but had) no firefighter or civilian injuries," Reece said.
The American Red Cross was called in to help the residents of the damaged homes arrange for emergency shelter.
