Flames and smoke billowed from a San Bernardino apartment on New Year's Day as a kitchen fire wreaked havoc, displacing five people. The San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) received calls around 6 PM about the blaze tearing through the 1700 block of East Date Ave. According to a statement on the SBCoFD's official website, firefighters raced to the scene, facing a fierce fight with the inferno nestled within a two-story apartment complex.
Upon arrival, the SBCoFD teams encountered significant fire activity from one of the apartments. Without hesitation, the firefighters rolled out hose lines and embarked on an aggressive interior attack. Their quick actions were instrumental as personnel from other units climbed to the rooftop, ensuring the fire did not claim more than its initial reach. The swift 10-minute response helped snuff the flames, and the fire-managing prowess of the SBCoFD stopped the spread, saving adjoining living spaces from potential disaster.
Thankfully, after thorough searches, there were no victims in the incident. Nonetheless, the aid of the Red Cross was summoned to assist the five occupants left without a home in the wake of the fire. As for the origin of the flames, SBCoFD Investigators have taken up the mantle to discern the cause, with current details on the investigation still pending.
The response to Monday's emergency consisted of a robust suite of firefighting apparatus from the SBCoFD, including five engines, two truck companies, a squad, a Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator.
