[LAKESIDE, Thu Jun 18, 6:42 p.m.] A residential structure fire destroyed a home in the 10200 block of Carnero Place, on the Santee–Lakeside border, on Thursday evening, with firefighters reporting that ammunition stored inside began cooking off in the heat as worsening conditions drove crews into a defensive attack.
Lakeside Fire Protection District units were dispatched at 6:42 p.m. and were on scene within about six minutes. Crews were advised that guns and ammunition were inside the residence, and firefighters soon reported hearing rounds cook off — cartridges set off by the fire’s heat. As flames consumed the interior, command pulled crews back and shifted to a defensive operation, fighting the blaze from the exterior.
The home was a total loss, according to Division Chief Downing at the scene. Downing said there were no injuries to firefighters or residents. The status of any animals was unknown as of his update, with crews still searching the property. The cause of the fire was undetermined.
The first alarm drew a multi-agency response that grew to more than a dozen units, including engine and truck companies, paramedic ambulances, two battalion chiefs, an SDG&E crew for utility control, and fire investigators. The last unit cleared the scene at 1:02 a.m., closing an operation that ran nearly six and a half hours.
