An early-morning fire that quickly engulfed a Long Beach apartment complex on Tuesday has left several residents displaced and at least three pets killed, fire officials said.
The incident was reported shortly before 1 a.m. on East 17th Street near Junipero Avenue.
Arriving firefighters immediately called for additional units after finding smoke and fire coming from the second, third and fourth floor balconies of the four-story building, Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Crabtree confirmed to KTLA.
Investigators believe the blaze began on the second floor before spreading to the top of the building.
Firefighters rescued more than a dozen animals, including dogs, cats and birds, Crabtree said. Sadly, crews did find two cats and one dog deceased in the fire.
Residents told KTLA’s Carlos Herrera that they believe more pets are unaccounted for and may be found dead.
The Red Cross has responded to the location to assist eight residents who were displaced in the fire.
One of those residents said that he and his wife were asleep when the fire started.
“My wife and I were in our bedroom,” the man said. “We went to bed early tonight, and someone came running, ‘Hey, the building’s on fire.’”
Crabtree said no residents were injured in the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
KTLA’s Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.
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