Update: Fire Torches Monrovia Home, Kills Dog

A house fire that erupted in a Monrovia home Thursday night torched the living room of the house and claimed the life of the family pet, police said.

The fire started in the living room of the one-story dwelling in the 200 block of E. Chestnut Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday night. Three people were able to safely evacuate, but the family dog--a Boxer--did not make it out and died, presumably of smoke inhalation.

"The only casualty was that of a dog which was in the rear area of the house," Lt. Monrovia Police Lt. Jaime Alfaro said.

Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to ventilate as they battled the blaze. A blown out television set and charred Christmas tree could be seen in the living room of the home Friday morning, but authorities don't know what the source of the blaze was.

"There was significant damage done to the interior of the home," Alfaro said.

Fire Chief Christopher Donovan said that investigators determined the cause of the fire was an electrical short in an outlet adapter in the living room.

The three occupants of the home were able to escape out of bedroom windows after being alerted to the blaze by a smoke alarm, Donovan said.

A man outside the home Friday who lived there but did not want to be identified said that he believes the damage can be repaired.

"I think it is reparable but that's not my call," he said.