One person was killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday when a fire broke out at a home in Escondido.
The fire was reported sometime before 2:30 a.m. on the 2400 block of Alexander Drive. Upon arrival, crews immediately requested more support and elevated the blaze to a second-alarm fire.
San Diego News
A man who authorities said was in his 80s was outside the home when firefighters arrived, according to Jeff Murdock, public information officer for the Escondido Fire Department. He notified crews that his wife was still inside the burning home and first responders were able to pull her out of the house. A third resident, who was described as a man in his 50s, was asleep when firefighters arrived and crews were able to escort him outside to safety.
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Both the older man and his wife were rushed to nearby hospitals. The woman later died of her injuries and the man who was hospitalized is described to be in critical condition with burns and smoke inhalation, according to Lt. Matthew Carpenter of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO). He is expected to survive, however.
Officials have not released the name of the woman who died in the fire.
Neighbors told NBC 7 the elderly man and woman had been married for decades. They also added that the man was a pastor at a nearby church.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
