Remains of 5 people found after fire at senior-care facility in Temecula, authorities say

TEMECULA, Calif. (KABC) -- The remains of five people were found at the scene of a "suspicious" blaze at a residential structure in an unincorporated area of Temecula, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed Tuesday.

Authorities say it's going to take time to identify the remains. No other information was disclosed about the discovery.

Flames erupted at the assisted-living facility for seniors in the 41400 block of Cruz Way at about 5 a.m. Monday. One neighbor said the screams for help were so loud that at first, she thought it was children playing.

"I see the fire, and I said to my son, 'Call 911,'" Martha Ramirez said.

Neighbor Evan Barrera recorded the incident with his smartphone.

"It was literally all over the house -- out of the windows, out of the door, through the roof," he said of the fire. "I heard the floor caved in."

Twenty-two firefighters contained the fire within just over an hour, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Homicide detectives and Cal Fire arson investigators responded to the scene.

Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Durham on Monday said it might take several days to "determine the nature of the fire, determine if it's negligence, if it's criminal, and ultimately identify the people that are inside."