Family displaced after North Park house fire caused by lithium-ion battery: SDFD

A family of five has been displaced following a house fire in North Park over the weekend, officials said.

The fire took place on the 3500 block of Florida Street and broke out at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, according tot the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

When crews arrived at the scene, they encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the front side of the structure. San Diego police closed Cyprus and Florida streets due to the blaze.

Neighbors nearby stepped up to help. Tryce Czyczynska and other neighbors grabbed garden hoses to fight the fire, offering all they could to the Lababidi family that recently moved in.

“That’s what you do with neighbors. That’s the essence of our city. That’s the essence of being an American,” Czyczynska said. “The first thing you have to ask is, ‘What would I need in that moment?’ That why we brought them water, shoes, asked them if they need anything for cat, offered to take their gecko.”

Shay Lababidi was overwhelmed with the neighbors action and compassion. One neighbor, they’d never even met, was one of the first to alert their daughter them to the fire.

“He called her and said, ‘Your house is on fire. You left us cookies a couple weeks ago. I never met you,'” Lababidi said. “I was just really grateful for all that community support.”

The family is also grateful for the help of the Red Cross and firefighters, who went repeatedly into the flaming house to try and save personal belongings and memorabilia.

No injuries were reported, officials said. Firefighters were able to rescue two cats from the scene.

The cause of the fire was related to a lithium-ion battery, SDFD told NBC 7.