FIRE DAMAGES HOME IN EL CAJON
By Nadin Abbott
Photos by Nadin Abbott and Tom Abbott
July 5, 2012 (El Cajon) --A single family home at 796 Ballantyne Rd was damaged overnight by a fire. According to Battalion Chief Kelly Sisson from Heartland Fire, two adults and two dogs were removed from the scene, since they could not stay there overnight.
When the fire engines arrived, the home had smoke coming from it; a fire in the bedroom had moved to the attic. According to Chief Sisson, the residents claimed that a rocket firework came through a window, but the Fire Department was looking at a gas leak. This fire is still under investigation.
Fire department units were on scene within three minutes and engaged in a frontal attack and roof ventilation.
According to Jeremy Arbogast, a neighbor and witness, he called it in, but had some issues getting through to 911 dispatchers since they were busy. He said that people were inside but were able to get out safely. He said that he heard “a good ten shots, probably fireworks,” and that one of the neighbors heard an explosion.