[SAN DIEGO (Southcrest) Sun Dec 7, 1:27 a.m.]
A pre-dawn house fire displaced several residents early Sunday after smoke was spotted coming from the attic of a home on South 36th Street in the Southcrest neighborhood, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.
Firefighters arrived within minutes of the 1:27 a.m. dispatch and found moderate smoke pushing from the attic space. All occupants had already evacuated, allowing crews to move quickly into a coordinated attack. Firefighters used chainsaws to open the roof and stop the fire from spreading further through the attic.
Temperatures were cold enough that San Diego police officers on scene supplied emergency blankets to the residents while firefighters worked the roof. The cause appears to involve a battery unit, though the exact ignition source remains under review.
Roughly two dozen personnel responded, including four engines, a truck company, two battalion chiefs, medics, and a light and air unit. SDGE was also requested. The American Red Cross was called to assist at least a half-dozen displaced people and several pets. No injuries were reported.
Crews cleared the scene just after 4 a.m.
