Home damaged, pets lost in blaze

December 25, 2010 (La Presa) – A family of five has been displaced from their home by an early morning fire in the La Presa neighborhood of Spring Valley. But the tragedy could have been far worse if not for the actions of San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Cruz. On patrol at 4:36 a.m., Cruz spotted smoke at the home in the 700 block of Safford Avenue and began pounding on the door to awaken the sleeping family.