Garage Light Ignites Attic Fire in Bear Creek

An exterior light mounted on the garage of a Bear Creek home sparked a fire early Wednesday, according to the Murrieta Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 1:31 a.m. in the 38300 block of Oak Tree Loop, in a duplex townhome in the gated community, Murrieta Fire Chief Matt Shobert said today.

"Crews arrived on scene and found moderate to heavy smoke emitting from the roof tiles and out of the attic vents, signifying a fire in the attic," Shobert wrote in an email.

"MFD made an excellent, aggressive, yet safe attack on the fire and had the fire under control within about 20 minutes, limiting damage to approximately $25,000," Shobert said.

The cause was suspected to be from a short in the light that services the garage/walkway area of the home, according to Shobert.