Murrieta fire crews responded quickly after an early morning fire broke out today at the Waterstone at Murrieta apartment complex in the 24000 block of Hancock Avenue.
Murrieta fire crews responded quickly after an early morning fire broke out today at the Waterstone at Murrieta apartment complex. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)
According to Murrieta Fire Chief Matt Shobert, fire officials responded to a report of fire at 6:46 a.m.
Read: Gruesome scene unfolds at Murrieta apartment complex fire
Crews arrived at the scene at 6:52 a.m. and found “heavy smoke and flames coming from windows in a first floor apartment of Building V,” Shobert said.
An aggressive interior attack had the blaze knocked down within 12 minutes.
“For a fire of this magnitude, it was a miraculous fire attack,” Shobert said, adding that the building was constructed before fire sprinkler systems were required.
Shobert confirmed that one firefighter suffered a broken hand during the incident and at least one civilian suffered injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The extent of that person’s injuries is not known at this time.
Two units — a lower and upper apartment — were heavily damaged in the blaze and Shobert said that two families have been displaced.
Nearly a dozen investigators with the Murrieta Police Department are on scene of the fire. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)
American Red Cross officials have arrived to assist displaced residents.
Additionally, detectives from the Murrieta Police Department are on scene and have set up a mobile command unit.
This is a developing story.
Stay with SWRNN for more information on this fire and ensuing investigation as it comes available.
Joe Fanaselle is a photojournalist and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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