28 people flee 3-alarm apartment fire

A nighttime three-alarm blaze displaced 28 apartment occupants and three pets in Indio, where the damage was estimated at $1-1/2 million, say Riverside County Fire Department officials. The fire was reported at 10:14 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Smoketree Apartments, 81875 Ave. 48. The first firefighters to arrive reported seeing flames and smoke through the roof of the 16-unit, two story building. The crews of 14 fire engines and three ladder trucks were dispatched to the incident. They extinguished the flames at 2:14 a.m. Sunday. The cause wasn't immediately determined. American Red Cross volunteers were summoned to help the displaced victims. No injuries were reported.