Fire Destroys Sonoma Lane Home

A fire tore through a house in the 1900 block of Sonoma Lane on Monday morning, sending columns of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles, and causing an estimated $350,000 worth of damage. The two-story home appeared to be a total loss, according to a fire official.

Rick Sitta, deputy fire chief for Heartland Fire & Rescue, said firefighters found no one inside the house, reportedly home to four adults.

Firefighters responded to calls of a structure fire at 10:48 a.m., according Sitta. With smoke visible from a distance, the first units on the scene found the house “fully involved,” he said.

Units from multiple agencies battled the blaze, which destroyed the house but spared surrounding homes from major damage. A house next door had minor exterior damage, Sitta said. 

“We have a first-alarm response here comprised of units from La Mesa and Lemon Grove of Heartland Fire & Rescue, and also San Diego and San Miguel,” Sitta said.

It took 17 crew members from the four area fire stations about 25 minutes to
subdue the blaze, he said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.