Crews put out early morning house fire

Nearly 30 firefighters responded to a Costa Mesa house fire Wednesday morning that took nearly half an hour to put out, authorities said this afternoon.

About 11:20 a.m., the Fire Department was called to a two-story home on fire at 3388 Carmel Drive in Costa Mesa. Local officials found Santa Ana firefighters already at the scene, who had apparently been nearby and heard the call over the radio, authorities said.

Smoke was pluming from the second story, and firefighters immediately attacked the blaze and cut a hole in the roof for ventilation, said Battalion Chief William Kershaw.

The fire took 25 minutes to extinguish, he said.

Four engines, two fire trucks and a total of 28 people responded to the blaze, fire officials said.

There was no one inside the house at the time and no one was reported injured. Firefighters are still determining the cause and damage of the blaze.

— Joseph Serna