Newport Beach residents jump across rooftops to escape fire

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Two residents in a Newport Beach home were forced to jump from rooftop to rooftop to escape a fire that ripped through their home early Tuesday morning.

The two-alarm fire broke out around 4:15 a.m. on the 300 block of 34th Street.

Newport Beach fire officials said both of the victims were transported to an area hospital, where one was treated for broken ankles and a broken back.

Investigators said the blaze started on the second floor of the residence, and it spread to the duplex next door. A total of four homes sustained damage from the fire.

Neighbor Lindsay Mills told Eyewitness News that she spoke with one of the residents of the home, who said the fire was started by a Christmas tree that was too close to the fireplace.

Investigators believe a Christmas tree was the cause.

"So the fact that the Christmas tree got burned in and of itself, created quite a fire, which lead it to go from the second floor to the third floor," said Newport Beach Fire Department Batt. Chief Jeff Boyles.

The fire department wants to warn people about the dangers decorations can create in their homes this time of year.

"Some people have had Christmas trees in their house for two to three weeks. Those needles are starting to get dry, we put more and more electricity in and around it," said Boyles.

The American Red Cross was on scene to help those displaced by the fire.