A fire that cost two Middletown residents their home and four pets apparently started with an electrical appliance, a Cal Fire captain said Sunday.
The two residents of the Barnes Street home returned from an evening at the Twin Pines Casino late Friday night when they found their home burning, said Cal Fire Capt. Bob Barron.
Someone else initially reported a fire, calling Cal Fire dispatchers at 11:28 p.m. about a possible wildland fire south of Middletown.
The residents also called for help and firefighters were directed to the house fire in town, close to Middletown High School and other homes.
The first two engines arrived at 11:41 p.m., coming from the Cal Fire Middletown station, according to dispatch records.
The fire already was through the roof of the 1200-square-foot, single-story home, said Barron.
Fire officials had called for a large response based on the initial reports of a possible wildland fire.
About 20 firefighters and five engines responded, including from four Cal Fire stations in the Clear Lake area and firefighters from South Lake County Fire.
Other nearby homes and buildings were protected and the fire was held to the one house, which was destroyed.
All that could be saved was a coin collection, said Barron.
He estimated the contents lost was worth about $35,000 and the loss of the home was about $200,000.
Firefighters were at the scene until about 7 a.m. Saturday.
The residents' three cats and one dog also perished in the fire.
Sunday morning firefighters removed the bodies from the burned structure and buried the animals, said Barron.
Fire investigators determined the likely cause of the fire was electrical, Barron said.
The Red Cross responded to the fire to offer temporary shelter to the victims.
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