Fire at Huntington Beach condo complex kills 2 cats and temporarily displaces 20 residents

Two cats were killed and 20 residents were temporarily displaced as a result of a fire Saturday afternoon at a condominium complex in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach firefighters received a report of a fire inside a two-story condominium on Rapids Drive around 3:30 p.m.

Flames spread from the the first floor to the second floor and began to move through the attic, said fire Capt. Bob Culhane said.

Police arrived first and helped people in the complex as they evacuated their homes. A group of officers kicked down the door of the condo where authorities believe the fire originated and checked to see if anyone was home, Culhane said.

No people were there, but two cats inside died.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze shortly after 4 p.m. The unit where the fire originated was destroyed, Culhane said.

Residents of six other units — 19 adults and one child — were displaced the rest of the day, he said. They were able to return later.

Culhane said the initial investigation indicates the fire was accidental.

“There’s no indication the fire is suspicious in nature at this time,” he said. “Because of the amount of fire, the exact cause may go undetermined.”

Culhane’s fire engine was the first one on the scene, and residents and police officers helped the crew hook up hoses to fire hydrants, he said.

“It was a really big help to us and allowed us to knock the fire down quickly,” Culhane said.

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Hannah Fry, hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN