Three-Alarm Fire Guts Duplex In West Sacramento

WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – What a tough way to start this holiday weekend for two sets of families as they are now displaced after an early morning duplex fire in West Sacramento on Friday.

The fire broke out just after 4:30 a.m. at a three-story duplex on Citrus Street just off Reed Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

"It sounded like gun shots, and a lady screaming," one of the residents said.

That would be the popping of windows and flames shooting out of the residence.

"It's so sad," said another resident before she burst into tears.

The woman says she went to get a drink of water and then heard the smoke detector going off.

"I was downstairs with my baby, I don't know what happened," she said. "I go upstairs get my baby, and my brother goes downstairs. … Everything on fire."

Firefighters worked to contain it, but it sure got the attention of the neighbors.

"When I came outside, I looked and the garage was fully engulfed," one said.

But it could have been a lot worse.

"(Garage) fires can go undetected for a significant period of time, and all of sudden they're in the house," West Sacramento Fire Battalion Chief Rebecca Ramirez said. "That's what you got the smoke detectors for; they work famously."

The fire did jump next door, but firefighters were able to put it out and families were able to walk away.

The American Red Cross was on scene to help with the displaced families.