A fire that killed three people at a San Diego home on Thursday may have been deliberately set, authorities said.
The blaze was reported at around 6:15 a.m. in a single-story home in the Mountain View neighborhood.
“When we arrived, it seemed there were neighbors out front explaining that there were three people trapped inside,” said Chris Babler, a battalion chief with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. “They were trying to put water on the fire.”
Fireifighters quickly doused the flames. Three bodies were found inside near the front door, which had bars that firefighters had to break through to get inside, Babler said.
The home also had security bars on the windows, Babler said.
In a statement, the San Diego Police Department said the victims “appeared to have succumbed to injuries caused by the fire.”
Their identities weren’t immediately released.
Two dogs survived the fire, authorities said.
“Based on the information from the fire department about the cause and origin of the fire, it appears to be intentionally set,” police Lt. Matt Dobbs said.