BOULEVARD FIRE NOW EXTINGUISHED; FIRE VICTIM DECLINED AIR TRANSPORT; HELICOPTER DISPATCHED TO CRASH AT IN-KO-PAH

UPDATE 7:20 p.m. A fire that began in Boulevard earlier this evening has been extinguished, Cal-Fire confirms. Fire crews will remain on the scene for several hours dousing hot spots. The blaze caused $400,000 in damage. A fire victim refused air transport and has been transported to the burn unit at UCSD via ground transport. The helicopter was dispatched to aid victims of a rollover crash on I-8 at In-Ko-Pah. April 21, 2009 (5:50 p.m.) – A house fire in Boulevard that started at 5:35 p.m. has spread to surrounding vegetation and engulfed 1/8 of an acre. “Firefighters are actively fighting this fire,” Captain Nick Schuler from Cal-Fire said, adding that San Diego County fire authorities are on the scene. Asked in a phone interview with East County Magazine if the fire was contained, however, he replied, “Not at all.”

Schuler added, “A helicopter has been dispatched for a victim.” He was not yet aware whether the individual suffered from burns or smoke inhalation. The fire, which began at Clements Street in Boulevard, has engulfed a two-story home, detached garage and an RV. In a separate incident, traffic is now blocked on I-8 eastbound at In-Ko-Pah near the Imperial County line due to a rollover trarffic collision. Victims are trapped in a vehicle, Schuler said. “A helicopter is en route,” he confirmed.