At about 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, Pacific County 911 Dispatch toned out North County Fire Departments for a structure fire at a residence on the 500 block of First Street in South Bend, across from the elementary school.

Approximately 22 South Bend, Raymond and District 3 Fire Department firefighters responded to the scene with three fire engines, a brush truck, an ambulance, and in their personal vehicles and quickly extinguished the fire.

South Bend Fire Department Chief Tim McGee and Assistant Chief Bubba Madrid were the on-scene incident command. South Bend Police Department Chief Stigall and Officer Fuller responded to the scene along with Raymond Police Department Officer Stigall and Officer Oropeza to assist the firefighters on scene.

Pacific County Management Director Scott McDougall responded to the scene and got the displaced residents in contact with the American Red Cross for emergency housing assistance. South Bend Police Officer Eric Fuller grew up in the home which was his brother and mother’s residence until they were displaced by the structure fire.

Three pets died in the structure fire; two cats were found alive on Sunday. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.