Early Morning Fire Damages Encinitas Preschool; Suspect Sought

ENCINITAS, CA -- A preschool housed in the back of a church went ablaze early on the morning of Nov. 12, and police are seeking a man who was seen fleeing the area.

At about 5 a.m., deputies responded to assist the Encinitas Fire Department for a structure fire. Deputies who arrived on the scene observed flames inside Saint Andrews Preschool, located in the rear of Saint Andrews Church at 890 Balour Drive in Encinitas.

The fire was contained to the preschool and was quickly put out by the fire department. No other structures were damaged.

A witness reported seeing a male subject flee from the church at the time of the incident, and so a perimeter was established by the deputies and a Sheriff's K9 Unit. However, after a search, no suspects were located. The Sheriff Department's bomb-arson detectives responded to conduct their investigation, which is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the San Diego Sheriff's Department at (760) 966-3548, or those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Informants may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.

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