Fire Engulfs House in Menifee; One Minor Injury Reported

This house on Pacific Channel Lane sustained major damage in a fire Friday night. There were no serious injuries. Photo by Jessica Hartley

A house in the Lazy Creek neighborhood of Menifee sustained major damage from fire Friday night, but there were no serious injuries and firefighters controlled the blaze in less than an hour.

The fire was reported about 8 p.m. in the 29900 block of Pacific Channel Lane near Beach Street. Five engine crews responded to the one-story dwelling and had the fire contained by 8:36 p.m., but not before major damage was sustained.

One adult female was transported to a local hospital because of smoke inhalation, according to fire officials. No other injuries were reported. Cause of the fire is under investigation.

Jessica Hartley, who lives behind the damaged house, gave an eyewitness account to Menifee 24/7 via email:

"I saw the fire out of my bedroom window and called 911," wrote Hartley. "By that time, they had already received the call and were sending personnel. While waiting for firefighters to arrive, my stepdad saw a woman in the back yard and asked her if she was OK. She very calmly replied yes. Then she went to the front of the house.

"A few minutes later, a man walked into the back yard (where we saw most of the flames) and seemed to be just looking at the fire as it engulfed the house. He then walked back to the front. Shortly after that, firefighters began extinguishing the fire."