SANTA MONICA, CA — Three people and their dog were forced to jump into their Santa Monica apartment complex’s pool after a fire ravaged their unit on Sunday, according to Fire Department Captain Patrick Nulty.
Nulty said multiple 911 calls about the fire on Sunday morning alerted firefighters to the blaze at 1011 4th St. in the Wilmont neighborhood. When fire fighters arrived, they witnessed the fire consume a first-floor unit of a three-floor apartment building.
“Three residents and one dog were forced to jump into the swimming pool to escape the fire prior to the fire department’s arrival,” Nulty said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The size and the complexity of the apartment complex heightened the potential for the fire to spread and trap other occupants inside, according to SMFD. While SMFD personnel searched adjacent units to ensure nobody was trapped, additional resources from the Los Angeles Fire Department and Santa Monica Police were requested.
While firefighters aggressively attacked the fire, SMPD officers shut down traffic near Washington Avenue and 4th Street out of caution.
Click Here: rugby shirt for sale
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Firefighters extinguished the fire within 20 minutes and were able to contain it to the unit where it originated, preventing it from spreading to any adjacent apartments according to authorities.
No residents, firefighters or dogs were injured during the fire according to Nulty and no residents were displaced. SMFD investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire, authorities said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.