This morning, tragedy struck at a residence on Westonhill Drive when a fire claimed the life of a woman and caused extensive damage to the property. The San Diego Fire Department (SDFD) reported that they received a call regarding a residential structure fire at 10825 Westonhill Dr at 2:34:48 AM, with the first unit arriving on the scene just under five minutes later to confront a one-story, single-family home engulfed by flames predominantly in the rear.
Despite the hindering drizzle, firefighters efficiently circled the house to gauge the full extent of the fire. They could aggressively deploy hose lines and begin their search for occupants amidst a backdrop of smoke and fire. Two residents had managed to self-evacuate before the fire department's arrival, but a secondary search discovered a woman deceased in the back of the home. SDFD's incident report noted that the crew performed excellently, attacking the fire and ventilating the structure to release heat and smoke, ultimately leading to the fire's rapid knockdown approximately 15 minutes after their engagement and its complete extinguishment about 30 minutes later.
The damage inflicted by the fire was mainly contained in the room of origin, with some spread into the adjacent hallway. The property loss was significant, estimated at $700,000 combined for the structure and contents, according to SDFD's assessment. The residents initially became aware of the fire due to smoke odor, an alert that tragically appears to have not been supplemented by functioning smoke detectors within the home.
Following the fire, two adults were left displaced and have since been assisted by the Red Cross. The Metro Arson Strike Team is in place to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire.
