Indio apartment fire leaves two without home

Two adults have been displaced after an apartment fire in Indio.

The fire was reported at an apartment on the 81000 block of Shadow Palms Avenue at around 5:45 pm and caused $65,000 in damage, according to Cal Fire Riverside County.

The single story, multi-family dwelling showed heavy smoke, with fire showing from a single unit.

Witnesses told CBS Local 2/KESQ that the unit was occupied by a disabled woman, who was watching her 5-year-old nephew.

“She said the child was in the room and she got a hold of a lighter and he started the fire,” said Sara Barraza. “By the time she realized there was a lot of smoke, so she got herself out as best as she could.”

A puppy was taken to the vet with burns on its feet, but other occupants were otherwise physically unharmed.

The fire was contained shortly after 6:10 pm, Cal Fire confirmed.

The Red Cross was on scene to help the two people displaced by the fire.