California Firefighter Burned Battling Garage Blaze

HESPERIA, Calif. -- A firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his hands Tuesday while battling an earlymorning fire that caused extensive damage to a Hesperia home, San Bernardino County Fire officials said.

The firefighter was treated and released and is expected to make a full recovery.

Firefighters were called out to a home in the 17900 block of Chestnut Street near Timberlane Park a little before 3 a.m. when the homeowner woke up to the smell of smoke, according to a news release.

The man saw some faint smoke, said Tracey Martinez, spokeswoman for the fire department, and followed it to the garage. He placed his hand on the door leading to the garage and when he felt it was hot, he woke up his wife and they both managed to get out safely.

When firefighters arrived, the man told them his dog was still inside, officials said. Rescuers went into the home and found the family pet in a rear bedroom of the home, Martinez said.

The firefighter, who suffered burns to his hands, was battling the fire when he was injured, Martinez said, and wasn't trying to rescue the dog.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze after about 30 minutes. The home sustained minor damage in the fire, though the garage was destroyed.

The home did have working smoke detectors, Martinez noted, however, the homeowner woke up before the smoke detector activated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service