Arson investigators are trying to determine the cause of a garage fire that reportedly started with an explosion and came close to killing a family pet. City Fire Battalion Chief John Frando says the call came in around 9:00 this morning [wed] from the converted living space at the house on Quarter Street in southwest Bakersfield, which was heavily involved with fire when crews arrived. Firefighters used oxygen to revive a small dog that had been overcome by smoke and the animal is being treated at a vet hospital. The fire caused about $50,000 in damage to the home.

Suzanne Grant