More than 20 people were driven from their homes because of a fire in an apartment complex in Escondido.
More than 20 people were displaced after a fire ripped through an apartment building in Escondido, officials said Friday.
The blaze broke out at an apartment complex near North Midway Drive and East Grand Avenue at around 2:15 p.m., according to the Escondido Fire Department. Firefighters say it started in one apartment, but by the time they arrived, a total of four units were in flames.
Those four units were destroyed, and eight others were heavily damaged, officials said.
One person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, according to the fire department. Among those displaced were 17 adults and six children. Five cats and two parakeets also had to relocate due to the fire, an Escondido Fire battalion chief said.
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The fire department said there have been two fires at the same complex this year. One was in April and involved a parking structure; another one was in August due to a plumbing accident.
Officials say no firefighters were hurt.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
