On Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 1226 hours, the Vista Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on the grounds of the Brengle Terrace Park located at 1200 Vale Terrace. (Vista Alarm # 2004-2953) The fire was reported by a San Diego Sheriff's helicopter "Astria" while on air patrol.
The first alarm structure fire dispatched Battalion Chief 1204 Norton along with Engine 1211, Truck 1271 Engine 1212, Engine 1213, and Rescue Ambulance 1293 along with Fire Prevention 1241 and 1242.
The neighborhood of this fire is an older suburban rural residential park area of the city.
First in firefighters were faced with a fully involved bedroom in a detached garage conversion that had vented outward through a front window. The fire was threatening adjacent dry vegetation and power lines. Fire knockdown was accomplished with the single attack line and tank water from engine 1212. Water supply was scarce and a split hose lay with more than 1000' feet of LDH hose was dropped by engine 1211 and 1212.
The 25' by 40' wood framed structure suffered fire damage to the front bedroom and storage areas. The fire was under control and contained in 15 minutes.
There were no injuries at this incident.
The Vista Fire Prevention Bureau investigated the fire and the cause was determined to be in the area of a bed by carelessly abandoned smoking materials. This incident has been determined as accidental.
Damage was estimated to be at $100,000 in structure and $25,000 for contents. The structure is owned by the City of Vista and leased to the Vista Botanical Forest. The tenant areas were subleased as residential areas.
During this incident, Vista Fire Department also had 3 brush engines participating with to strike teams in service at the Riverside County Ca. Wildfire Incidents that were in progress.
Vista is in Southern California (San Diego County) and has a city and district area made up of 40 square miles of canyons, rural, city and industrial parks. The population is 100,000 people and the fire protection is provided by the City of Vista Fire Department. The VFD is made up of 70 career firefighters and staff with 4 stations. VFD provides EMS. Fire and heavy rescue service along with fire investigation and fire prevention services.
