Woman, pet escape Newport garage fire after car bursts into flames

A Newport Beach woman and her pet escaped a garage fire that authorities said probably was caused by a car that burst into flames.

Just before 3 p.m. Friday, the woman parked her car in her garage on Rue Marseilles, a small cul-de-sac, according to the Newport Beach Fire Department.

The woman got out of the car, then “heard a strange noise and saw flames emanating from under the hood,” the department said.

She closed the door leading from the garage into her house and escaped with her pet, authorities said.

Firefighters found the garage engulfed in flames, according to the department.

Twenty firefighters from Newport Beach and the Orange County Fire Authority controlled the fire within 20 minutes, authorities said.

Fire officials said the woman’s quick thinking helped contain the blaze to the garage.

Authorities estimated the fire caused $50,000 in damage.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck