OCEANSIDE — Nine people and one dog were displaced Friday after a fire in a three-story apartment building caused smoke damage to two units but no injuries.
According to the Oceanside Fire Department, crews responded shortly after 7 a.m. to 5057 Los Morros Way and found a first-floor apartment burning, “with flames extending toward the second and third floors.”
“Firefighters immediately deployed hoselines to the first floor and began fire attack operations while simultaneously conducting search-and-rescue,” the department said.
Firefighters contained the blaze to the first floor and prevented it from spreading further, officials said.
Crews from the Oceanside Fire Department, North County Fire Protection District and Vista Fire and Rescue searched the second and third floors to determine whether the fire had spread.
“Firefighters also searched adjacent apartment units to ensure all residents had safely evacuated,” the Oceanside Fire Department said.
It was unclear whether the displaced residents were receiving assistance from the American Red Cross or another agency.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. An Oceanside Police Department officer said the department understood that the fire “was definitely accidental.”
Fire officials reminded residents “to maintain working smoke alarms on every level of their home and to have a practiced escape plan.”
If a fire breaks out, residents “should evacuate immediately, remain outside and call 911 from a safe location,” officials said.
