FIRE CAUSES $300,000 IN DAMAGE AT LA MESA HOME

East County News Service

February 4, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Heartland Fire and Rescue crews from La Mesa and El Cajon responded to a house fire in the 7500 block of Seton Hall Street in La Mesa at 5:10 p.m. Fire crews arrived within 4 minutes to report a single story, single family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the garage.

"Firefighters were initially confronted with a report of a person still inside the structure. However, upon searching the residence, it was determined that nobody was inside and the sole occupant of the residence was safely outside," said Sonny Saghera, public information officer for Heartland Fire.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 15 minutes and confine it to the garage area. There was extensive smoke and heat damage to the rest of the structure. The fire is currently under investigation. Damage to the structure is estimated at $200,000 and contents at $100,000.