‘Suspicious’ Fire Under Investigation

Police and fire officials continue to investigate a on 70th Street Friday evening that “appears to be suspicious in nature,” according to a spokeswoman for Heartland Fire & Rescue.

Fire crews have not been able to enter the home and apartment units that burned, due to the extensive clutter and “hoarding issues” on the property, said Monica Zech of Heartland Fire.  An arson K-9 team from San Diego Fire & Rescue has been on the scene searching for signs of any flammable accelerants, according to Zech.

Damage to the buildings and contents, including several vehicles that were scattered about the property, was estimated by Heartland Fire to be $600,000.

According to Zech, the property in the 4000 block of 70th Street near Colony Road has had code-enforcement issues and the residents living in the rear apartment units were in the process of being evicted. The owner of the property lived in the house in the front section of the lot.