A police officer was injured trying to help people escape the flames of an overnight motel fire in Escondido, officials said Friday.
The Escondido Police Officer suffered minor smoke inhalation while evacuating residents of the Hacienda Motel on North Broadway before fire crews arrived.
A unit on the second floor of the two-story motel was on fire with flames spreading to a nearby unit.
Investigators say the fire that broke out at midnight is suspicious in nature and likely human caused but provided no other details.
Supervisors say the injured officer was treated at the scene and remained on duty. A civilian was also treated for minor smoke inhalation.
One woman was arrested, accused of being under the influence of a controlled substance, Escondido police said.
A second alarm was requested which included units from the San Marcos Fire Department.
Local
Crews had the fire extinguished within 40 minutes.
The San Diego County chapter of the American Red Cross was called in to help approximately 20 occupants that were displaced.
