SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An elderly woman is dead after a fire broke out in a Mira Mesa home early Monday morning, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.
Crews first responded to the single-family house along Westonhill Drive just after 2:30 a.m. Heavy smoke and flames were found coming from the r
ear and roof after firefighters conducted a full inspection of the structure.
As firefighters began their efforts to extinguish the fire, they learned from two occupants who were able to escape the home safely prior to crews' arrival that the woman may be trapped inside, prompting a search and rescue effort.
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When she was found, the woman appeared to have died "well before the fire department arrived," according to SDFD Battalion Chief Erik Windsor.
Fire crews were able to knock down the fire within about 15 minutes and fully extinguished it shortly thereafter, per SDFD. Although the battalion chief noted the firefighting effort was slowed slightly due to considerable clutter throughout the home.
"Would not call it a hoarder house, but there was a lot of clutter inside and a lot of obstacles for our crews to get through, over and around," Windsor said.
The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by SDFD's Metro Arson Strike Team.
The estimated cost to damage and personal belongings is roughly $700,000, per SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz. The two other occupants of the home were displaced and are being assisted by Red Cross.
"Fires like this are tragic, especially when there is a loss of life," Windsor said, adding it serves as a germane reminder to make sure all smoke detectors and fire alarms in one's home are in working order.
Per Muñoz, while the two other residents were able to escape after noticing smoke, there did not appear to be any sign of functioning smoke detectors in the home.
"It is important to make sure that we always have working smoke detectors and fire alarms to notify you if there is a fire in your home," Windsor continued. ...read more read less
