Smoke Detectors Allowed 3 to Escape California House Fire

Southern California firefighters say smoke detectors woke three people who safely escaped flames enveloping their Mojave Desert home.

The garage was fully engulfed in flames that were spreading to the 2,500-square-foot Hesperia home when San Bernardino County firefighters arrived at about 1:50 a.m. Tuesday.

Fire spokesman Tracey Martinez says in a news release that two elderly women and man were awakened by smoke detectors and they escaped.

Firefighters rescued two dogs, but two other dogs and a rabbit died in the fire.

It took 17 firefighters about 25 minutes to extinguish the blaze, which caused about $100,000 damage.