LANCASTER : 5 Hospitalized After House Fire

Five people were hospitalized and two dogs were killed Tuesday when a fire broke out in a Lancaster home, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

Gary Jacob and his family were awakened by the sound of a fire alarm about 10 a.m. at their home in the 500 block of East Avenue J-5, fire officials said.

About 20 firefighters contained the blaze in 20 minutes.

The fire appeared to have started in the den, Inspector Devin Trone said.

“The woman said that as she scooped up her children and was hurrying out the door, she could see the Christmas tree on fire,” Trone said. “The tree contributed to the fast spread of flames.”

The cause of the fire was under investigation, Trone said.

Jacob, 21, was in good condition at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he was treated for second-degree burns to his back and smoke inhalation, Trone said.

Tammy Jacob, 20, and the couple’s three sons, ages 5, 1 and 10 weeks, also were treated for smoke inhalation at the same hospital.

The family’s two dogs, including a pit bull, died in the blaze, Trone said.

The flames caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the structure and contents, Trone said.

“The house suffered severe damage throughout,” Capt. Darryl Bennett said. “Basically everything inside was destroyed.”