A fire in an abandoned home in City Heights — believed to have been ignited by squatters using the house — threatened a nearby liquor store early Monday before crews were able to put it out, a San Diego fire official said.
The blaze was reported around 2 a.m. at a home on 36th Street near University Avenue. When crews arrived, the rear of the house was “well involved” and threatening the store next door, San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief John Fisher told OnScene TV. “This is a suspected encampment fire,” Fisher said. “The homeless were definitely inside this structure so it is a human-caused fire.”Investigators with the Metro Arson Strike Team were called out and will try to determine who started the blaze, Fisher said.Electrical lines fell down during the fire and ignited tall grass in the yard. A large propane tank on the front porch also presented a potential danger. Authorities didn’t say whether the tank was empty or full.
“A very rapid attack kept this fire to the structure of origin and prevented any extension into the liquor store,” he said.