PETS MISSING AFTER SPRING VALLEY HOUSE FIRE

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2024 (Spring Valley) – A family that lost their home in a house fire Thursday on Dictionary Hill is searching for four missing pets—three dogs and a cat.

The home, located on La Mesa Avenue near Date Street in Spring Valley was destroyed. The blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m. June 13.  The family was not at home, though ironically the homeowner was golfing nearby and saw the smoke, not realizing his own house was in flames, CBS 8 reports.

According to San Miguel Fire Battalion Chief Roddey Blunt, the home’s hillside location made it challenging to contain the fire.  Windows blew out and wind drove flames through the residence, he said.

The fire triggered a response from multiple firefighting units, seen in a  video footage taken by Youtube blogger Knowledge Source, who said he went outside to get video of the sunset when he spotted the fire.

Crews prevented the from spreading to other homes close by, remaining on scene overnight and through the next day.

The house is a total loss of around $2 million.  The Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson SD Squad is investigating to determine the cause of the fire, per standard procedure.

Fortunately no humans were injured, but the family’s pets are missing; it is unknown whether they escaped the fire.

Erin Newkirk posted an image on social media showing a grey and white cat and three small dogs, including two that appear to French bulldogs. She is asking anyone who finds them to please call 619-820-9635 or 619-322-8878.