Investigators are trying to determine what sparked a three-alarm fire that ripped through a strip mall in El Cajon early Wednesday, causing about $2 million in damage.
The blaze was reported around 3 a.m. on Broadway near Ballentyne Street just east of state Route 67.
Crews arrived within 5 minutes of the call and quickly called for a second alarm, summoning more firefighters, a Heartland Fire-Rescue Department dispatcher said. "The first-in units on scene saw smoke coming from the roof and started attacking the fire," the dispatcher siad.
A third alarm was issued just before 3:30 a.m. and additional crews were dispatched.
In all, firefighters San Diego, Santee, Lakeside, San Miguel and Barona departments worked to put out the blaze.
"We had a large body of fire which appeared to be at a restaurant," Heartland Fire Battalion Chief Brent Baum told OnScene TV. "We were able to contain it to the strip mall and prevent it from extending into any other exposures or structures."
No injuries to firefighters were reported, Baum said.
Crews will remain at the site for the day to make sure the fire doesn't restart, said Heartland spokesperson Andy McKellar. He said four or fives businesses were damaged by the blaze.
"The roof did collapse and the debris is still smouldering so we are going to have units there all day to make sure it doesn't flare up again," he said.
©2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
