Neighbor Hears Explosion, House, Reportedly Just Occupied by New Owners, Catches Fire

Pasadena firefighters responded to a house fire in the 1200 block of Wesley Avenue in Pasadena on Tuesday, and saw black smoke at the back of the residence when they arrived at about 1:08 p.m.

A neighbor said an explosion was heard before smoke started rising from the back of the two-story house.

“Sadly, the house was just sold and I think they just moved in this past weekend,” the neighbor said. “No one was home when it happened.”

On initial search, the firefighters found a small dog uninjured and took him to safety, Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian said. The dog was turned over to the Pasadena Humane Society.

Derderian said the first arriving fire unit reported a two-story house with smoke visible from the rear of the house.

“Engine 32 arrived and initiated fire attack at the rear of the house for an exterior fire burning in a rubbish pile that had extended into the house,” Derderian said, quoting from fire department logs.

Derderian reported the fire was confined to the exterior of the home and did not spread significantly into the walls and floor of the second-story exterior balcony.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation,” Derderian said. “Estimated loss to property is about $20,000.”

The Pasadena Police Department assisted with security and traffic control. Personnel from the Southern California Gas Company were also on the scene to check for any gas leaks.

The incident was declared closed at about 5:35 p.m.