Apartment fire displaces one person, two dogs

By SDCN Editor

Oceanside, CA–A structure fire at an apartment complex displaced one person and two dogs Friday in Oceanside, fire officials said.

Oceanside Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a second-story apartment fire around 8:12 p.m. at the Island Club Apartments at 2432 Catalina Circle, off Oceanside Blvd.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze with the combined efforts of fire sprinklers and a quick-thinking resident who utilized a fire extinguisher. 

According to the Oceanside Fire Department, the origin of the fire began in the kitchen, and the cause is still under investigation. 

Fire crews prevented additional damage by shutting off the fire sprinklers and evacuating water from both the upstairs apartment and the one below. The quick response helped minimize property damage and inconvenience for the residents.

“Our dedicated fire department investigators are diligently working to determine the exact circumstances that led to this fire, stated Battalion Chief Blake Dorse in the department’s news release.

The American Red Cross provided assistance to find shelter for the resident and the dogs.

The fire department emphasizes the importance of having functioning smoke detectors in every household.

Friday’s incident marks the second occasion in two days where smoke detectors have played a pivotal role in saving lives in Oceanside, according to fire officials.

Smoke detectors are essential for early fire detection, and the use of fire sprinklers can be a life-saving measure. Additionally, having and knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is crucial for quick, effective response in the event of a fire emergency.

Residents should regularly test their smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly and become familiar with fire safety equipment and procedures. 

For more information or fire safety tips, contact the Oceanside Fire Department at https://fire.ci.oceanside.ca.us.