Couple Displaced From Murrieta Home, Pets Rescued By Neighbors

MURRIETA, CA — A Murrieta couple was forced from their home that ignited Tuesday night near Clinton Keith Road and Nutmeg Street, firefighters say.

Just after 6 p.m., Murrieta Fire and Rescue firefighters from Station 2 raced to the scene of a burning two-story home in the 23000 block of Matador Way.

The couple who live there were not home when the fire began, and the family dog and cat were inside when the fire started, Patch was told.

"A neighbor rescued the family dog, Bonnie, during the incident," relative Mike Swift said. His daughter-in-law grew up in the Murrieta home, and her parents remain the homeowners. "Even better, after the fire was out and they were going through the house, they found the cat under the kitchen table."

Video from the scene shows crews working from the garage and the second story and firefighters remained at the scene until after 9 p.m.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation, and the structure was deemed unlivable, according to officials.

"Though the couple who reside there was provided with the contact number for Red Cross aid, they declined that assistance at the time of the incident," Murrieta Fire & Rescue spokesperson Dawn Morrison told Patch.

No one was injured due to the fire, she said.

"There has been a huge outpouring of neighborhood support," Swift elaborated. Neighbors have offered food, clothing, furniture and prayers in the hours after the fire.

Any fundraising efforts and updates will be added to this report.

Note: A correction was made to this report as more details were released.