MERCADO FIRE UNDER CONTROL

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By Paul Kruze

Video with permission of Mike Anderson.

June 19, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)--A full contingent of CAL-FIRE and San Diego County firefighters were called to fight a smoky 15-acre fire near State Highway 94 and Jamacha Blvd. that broke out Friday afternoon. The highway was closed to traffic in both directions until the fire reached 85 percent containment at 6:30 p.m.

A Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating. Although an SDG&E substation was lightly damaged in the fire, power to about 20,000 homes was not affected. A man and a woman observed leaving an area known as a homeless encampment in the burn area have been detained for questioning, though no charges have be filed at this time.

 

Numerous witnesses told East County Magazine that about a dozen explosions were heard before fire crews arrived on the scene. The canyon where the fire broke out is known as a homeless encampment. While CALFIRE did not confirm the explosions, local residents speculated that they may have been caused by exploding propane tanks. Local businessman Michael Anderson said that there was one very large explosion followed by numerous smaller ones. “It was getting pretty scary,” he said.

After the fire was knocked down with multiple water drops, an all-female San Diego County Jail inmate ground crew was brought in to quench the fire.

While local residents were not subject to a mandatory evacuation, a temporary shelter was set up at Monte Vista High School on Sweetwater Springs Road.

One local resident, Diana Reed, expressed consternation that she was not able to reach her elderly mother who lives in the area on Avenida Roberta above the scene of the fire. Reed was at the Del Mar Fair when she heard about the fire and rushed back to the area. “It really upset me that I was not able to reach my mother because the roads and streets were blocked,” she said. “I ended up calling 9-1-1 and told them about my mother being in the house alone.” She added that the San Diego Sheriff’s Office advised her that on scene fire crews were made aware of the situation.

Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout the evening and residents are being allowed to return home.

Anyone with information can call the Sheriff Departments non-emergency line, (858) 656-5300, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

 


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