BUG BOMBS CAUSE FIRE THAT DESTROYS TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

July 9, 2009 (El Cajon)--At 5:15 p.m. this evening El Cajon Fire crews responded to reports of a trailer home fire at the Chieftain Trailer Park, located at 187 Ballard, space number 48-B in El Cajon. Upon arrival firefighters found the trailer home engulfed.

About 15 firefighters had the fire extinguished in about ten minutes, preventing damage to nearby trailers. The trailer home was destroyed, displacing two adults and their four children. A homeowner who cut his hand while trying to fight the fire with a garden hose was treated at the scene by paramedic firefighters.

Fire investigators say the fire appears to have been caused by the homeowner setting off 16 bug bombs in an enclosed area, with fumes being ignited by an unknown heat source. The fire remains under investigation. Total damage has been estimated at $30,000 for the trailer home and its contents. The American Red Cross is now assisting the displaced family with temporary housing.

A fire crew from the San Miguel Fire Protection District assisted El Cajon Fire crews in fighting the blaze.
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.