At 1331 hours on Sunday, April 06, 2003, a 911 call was received reporting a structure fire in the area behind 2112 East Vista Way in Vista.
Emergency Dispatchers at North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority dispatched a first alarm that sent the Vista Fire Department ladder truck, three engines and two paramedic units, all under the command of acting Battalion Chief Kevin Magoon.
Vista Acting Battalion Chief Jeff Hahn was off duty and on his way home when he spotted the heavy black smoke and investigated. He found the house on fire at 1061 Colucci Drive and prior to the arrival of the fire equipment, searched the burning home to confirm that all the occupants were out. During his search, he found a dog in the house, which he was able to rescue unharmed.
Upon arrival of the Vista Fire Department fire and smoke was visible.
The fire involved the wood shake roof area of the ranch style home and had spread to the attic and bedroom areas. A strong wind out of the west caused the fire to spread across the wood roof rapidly. Neighbors in the apartment complex directly adjacent to the fire were wetting down their building with garden hoses in an effort to combat the wind driven sparks.
There were no injures and the Red cross was dispatched and placed the family in temporary housing.
Fire Investigators estimated a $200,000 structural loss to the 1600 square foot house. Additionally there was $50,000 damage to the interior contents.
Investigation has determined that the fire was caused by fireworks that had landed on the wood shake roof. The hot ember of the fireworks ignited the dry wood shake roof.
