CHULA VISTA, Calif. - A fire caused serious damage to a Chula Vista Tuesday morning, displacing at least five people and destroying about 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
The fire broke out shortly after 4:30 a.m. at a house in the 2700 block of East L St., according to fire officials.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the two adults, three children and pet dog inside the home were able to escape unharmed.
10News learned the family had an emergency plan in place in the event of a disaster such as a fire.
Responding firefighters were able to corral the family's two cats into a bedroom while suppression efforts were underway, Chula Vista Battalion Chief Jeff Peter said.
The fire caused extensive damage to the garage and spread to the attic before it was extinguished, Peter said. A damage estimate was not immediately released.
10News confirmed that nearly 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies were burned in the blaze.
After learning of the fire, Girl Scouts San Diego issued this statement:
"We were very sorry to hear of the fire that extensively damaged the Chula Vista home of a dedicated Girl Scout family, and are extremely thankful to learn that no one was injured.
Our staff reached out to them this morning to express our concerns and offer assistance. We assured them that we are here to support them in any way possible. We will replace the cookies, and the family will not be held responsible for the loss."
Peter said the family would likely be displaced "for several weeks, if not more," and reminded people to make sure the smoke detectors in their homes are in working order.
HOW TO HELP: GoFundMe for the Perkins family
