On March 6, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a water leak located at Sonoma Court apartments at 508 E. Mission Avenue. Upon arrival, Firefighters found that a water heater supply line in an upstairs apartment unit had been leaking for an extended amount of time. The water flooded the upstairs apartment, two downstairs apartments, and the Manager’s office. Firefighters ensured the electricity and water were secured, and provided salvage efforts to the involved apartments. Large tarps were used to protect belongings and funnel the water out of the apartments. Despite removing most of the water from the ceilings, walls, and floors, each apartment was uninhabitable for the three families involved. The Escondido Firefighter’s Association Local #3842 provided $200 gift cards to each of the three families to assist them with immediate needs.
On March 7, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a building on fire at 223 Fernwood Ave. Both Escondido Fire and Police units were dispatched to the location. The first arriving Fire unit reported a working fire in a single-story duplex. Firefighters quickly confirmed all occupants were out of both residences. The fire was contained in approximately 20 minutes. Damage was isolated to the rear of the structures. Four Engine Companies, one Truck Company, one Rescue Ambulance, and two Battalion Chiefs were required to extinguish the fire. The Escondido Police Department assisted in evacuations and traffic control. SDG&E also aided securing both gas and electric utilities. The American Red Cross provided lodging to five adults displaced from their homes due to fire damage. No civilians or Firefighters were injured during the incident. The fire’s cause and origin are under investigation.
On March 12, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible vegetation fire in the area of Northbound I-15 near the 9th Ave. off ramp. A vegetation response was dispatched, and the first arriving officer reported an active fire on the right shoulder of the freeway involving both brush as well as spreading to several palm trees on La Terraza Blvd. Due to the potential threat, a second alarm was requested. The fire was contained within 45 minutes. In all, 7 Engines, 1 Patrol Unit, 2 Chief Officers and a Fire Investigator responded. The response included assistance from Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department, San Diego City Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, and Escondido Police Department. There were no injuries to civilians, however, one firefighter suffered a minor burn to his neck from falling embers. Although the fire originated from a homeless encampment, the cause is under investigation.
On March 12, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible fire in the 2000 block of Garden Valley Glen (Meadowbrook). The first arriving Captain reported a two story, duplex style residence with light smoke coming from the front door and nearby windows. The home was equipped with a residential fire sprinkler system which kept the fire contained to a small area of the kitchen. Crews were on scene for an additional hour performing salvage, overall and removal of water from the sprinkler system discharge. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians during the incident.
