DELANO, Calif., At 6:45 a.m. on April 9th, 2024, Kern County firefighters were dispatched to the 1900 block of 13th Ave. for a reported structure fire. The report through Delano Police Department stated that two persons were unaccounted for, possibly still inside the residence. Firefighters listened to the police radio channels and learned that the victims were possibly in a room on the right side of the home. Smoke was visible as they responded to the scene. 

On arrival, firefighters were faced with a single story house with heavy black smoke coming from all sides of the structure. The crew immediately went into rescue mode due to the reports of possible victims. As the second fire engine arrived the crews worked together, entering the front door with a hoseline and crawling through windows on the right side of the house to search the rooms. Progress inside was very difficult due to large quantities of furniture and belongings, combined with zero visibility from the smoke. Much of the interior of the home was engulfed in flames. Firefighters fought to complete a victim search of the structure. A victim was discovered, however it was not a person but a kitten. The smokey little feline, still alive, was rescued from the structure. Firefighters treated the cat, giving it oxygen through a pet oxygen mask. The fire was knocked down and firefighters remained on scene, working to ensure thorough extinguishment. During the firefight, the reported victims were discovered, covered in soot out on the sidewalk. They had escaped the fire through the front door prior to fire crews arriving. The patients were treated and one individual was transported to the hospital for further care. 

No additional injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is believed to be a candle set on the bathtub that spread to the shower curtain. 

The KCFD would like emphasize the danger of unattended flames in your home. Please be alert to these situations and fully extinguish all fire, no matter how small, prior to leaving the area.