Fire Guts Two South Pasadena Homes, But Firefighters Rescue Cats

SOUTH PASADENA, CA — A second-alarm fire gutted two South Pasadena houses Wednesday but firefighters saved two nearby homes and rescued two cats.

The fire was reported at 3:08 p.m. at 708 Charter Oak St. and arriving firefighters saw heavy smoke and flames through the roof, South Pasadena Fire Department Chief Paul Riddle said.

The flames were also spreading to the roof of the house next door at 700 Charter Oak St., Riddle said. He called for a second-alarm response and a total of 45 firefighters were at the scene from South Pasadena, Pasadena, Alhambra, Los Angeles and other area departments.

The roof at 708 Charter Oak St. was starting to collapse at 3:20 p.m. and firefighters went into defensive mode, pouring water on the houses from outside and protecting other nearby homes, Riddle said.

The flames were out after about 45 minutes, he said. No civilians or firefighters were injured. Firefighters rescued two cats from the house and two cats got out on their own, Riddle said.

The cause of the fire "appears accidental," Riddle said.

City News Service