The fire department says the flames broke out shortly after midnight at a house on Prospect near Emerson. Seven people were home at the time.
Authorities say three of them made the mistake of going back inside the burning home to check on their belongings after calling 911.
"What the fire department recommends is if you have a fire at your home is come outside, call 911. Make sure all your family members have gotten out and don't go back in," Battalion Chief Chuck Tobias of the Fresno Fire Department said.
The three people who went back inside the home were treated for smoke inhalation and one of them was taken to Community Regional Medical Center. They're all expected to recover.
