Fire Damages San Marcos Home, Investigators Probe Cause

Fire officials are investigating the cause of a house fire that caused significant damage to a two-storey residence in the San Marcos area on Saturday night. According to initial reports, emergency responders received the call at approximately 9:25 p.m. and arrived to find a cement two-storey structure with an extended wooden deck and patio engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. Investigations so far indicate that the fire originated in the wooden deck and patio area before spreading into the upper portion of the house. The residence consists of two bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms. The upper-level sustained fire, heat, and extensive water damage, while the lower flat was not affected. Authorities confirmed that the family of three who occupy the home was out of the country at the time of the fire and was expected to return home today. They have been identified as 51-year-old Hilton Claasen, 35-year-old Ambar Ayala, and a ten-year-old. It was also confirmed that neither the building nor its contents were insured. Tragically, one of the three dogs housed at the residence died as a result of the fire. While officials have confirmed that the fire started on the deck and patio area of the building, the exact cause remains undetermined.